Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy Theory - Essay Example

The fundamental premise of the theory is based on the fact that almost all emotions and behaviors are caused by what people believe about the situations they face. The theory posits a bio-psychosocial explanation of how individuals come to feel and behave. This stems from the belief of Ellis that both biological factors and social factors are involved in the experiencing and action processes. This idea is important, for it proposes that there are limits to the extent that a person can change (Ellis A. , 2003). Ellis argues in his theory that all humans have the ability to interpret reality in a clear, logical and objective manner and avoid unwanted emotional behavioural disturbances.

Furthermore, he argues that in addition to these abilities, humans are also predisposed to irrational interpretations (Collard & OKelly, 2011). They are predisposed to twisted or illogical thinking, draw illogical conclusions that are impartial and are cognitive distortions of reality (Levinson, 2010). Ellis identified four standard characteristics that represent an irrational interpretation of reality. These four standard characteristics are demands of something that is not of the real world, other people or the individual; amplification of the awfulness of something an individual dislikes (Macinnes, 2004); conclusion that one cannot tolerate the thing they dislike and finally condemnation of the world, other people or the individual (Dryden, 2003).

The characteristics identified above are expressed in specific irrational ideas and beliefs (Macinnes, 2004). Ellis suggested that the targets for change in psychotherapy are those thoughts, attitudes beliefs and meanings that cause emotional-behavioural disturbances and then goes ahead to present the rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) (Windy & Neenan, 2004).  REBT teaches individuals how to identify their own self defeating ideas, thoughts, beliefs and actions and replace