Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy Theory - Research Paper Example

Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy Theory Historical developments Rational emotive theory developed over the years changing names. The theory was initially called the rational therapy and rational emotional therapy but later changed to what is now called the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Theory (REBT) (Collard & O'Kelly, 2011). The theory was developed by Albert Ellis in 1956, a one- time psychoanalyst. Ellis is known to have observed that when patients changed their beliefs about themselves, the problems they face and the world, they tended to improve more quickly (Dryden, 2003). 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 proposes a bio-psychosocial explanantion of how individuals come to feel and behave that is, Ellis believed that both biological factors and social factors are involved in the experiencing and acting process. This idea is important as it proposes that there are limits as to how much 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 unnecessary emotional behavioural upsets. He also argues that besides this, humans are also predisposed to irrational interpretations (Collard & O'Kelly, 2011). They are predisposed to twisted or illogical thinking, draw illogical conclusions that are impartial and are cognitive distortions of reality (Levinson, 2010). Ellis identifies three standard characteristics that represent an irrational interpretation of reality. (1) It demands something that is not real of the world, other people or the individual; (2) it amplifies the awfulness of something an individual dislikes (Macinnes, 2004); (3) it concludes that one cannot tolerate the thing they dislike and lastly (4) it condemns the world, other people or the individual (Dryden, 2003). The characteristics identified above are expressed in specific irrational ideas and Beliefs (Macinnes, 2004). Ellis suggests that the target for change in psychotherapy is those thoughts, attitudes beliefs and meanings that will result in emotional-behavioural disturbance and goes ahead to present the rational emotive behaviour therapy (Windy & Neenan, 2004).  The REBT teaches individuals how to identify their own self defeating ideas thought beliefs and actions and replace them with more effective life-enhancing ones (Ellis & Ellis, 2011). Ellis observes that emotions works like an imperative and the life in the occidental culture appears linear and not circular. That what we affect us now and here is dependent on how we classify valuate and interpret what we believe about here and now. The more an individual forces himself to phrases like “must, should, need, ought to, have to, go to” the stronger and more dogmatic is the emotional compulsion and the irrational idea. This is how Ellis defines self distortion. Further this means that our feelings are caused but not determined and so we are free to construct our perception of life (Ellis & Ellis, 2011). REBT theory goes ahead to propose an ABC model that can be used for teaching clients how to overcome their maladaptive attitudes and destructive tendencies. In this model clients are shown how negative consequences (C) arise from irrational beliefs (B) that were triggered by various Activating events (A). The negative emotions do not arise as direct and unavoidable consequences from the situation, but they are created by the client’s unrealistic or illogical attitudes and expectations (Ridgway, 2005). Key assumptions of the theory The rational emotive behavior theory therefore makes four key assumptions which are based on human nature. The first assumption is that human beings are born with two potentials: one for rational thinking and the other for irrational thinking. It continues to say that people work harder in order to be rational than irrational (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007). Irrational thinking is described as one that: (1) blocks a n individual from achieving his goals, creates emotions that distress and immobilize and results in behaviors that harm oneself, others and one’s life in general; (2) it distorts reality that is it is a misrepresentation of what is happening and it is not supported by available evidence; (3) it contains illogical ways of evaluating oneself, others and the world in general (Ridgway, 2005). The second assumption of the theory is that all humans have the inherent tendency towards growth and self-actualization. That all humans want to succeed and therefore they are usually engaged in activities that will result in them growing (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007). Such activities result in the setting of goals that are sometimes irrational. Sentences like “I must, I ought to, I have to” characterize people’s thinking of growth and self actualization. These goals are sometimes difficult to achieve leading to stress on the part of the individual. The third assumption is that humans experience emotional disturbance that is self inflicted. This is born out of the continued repetition of irrational thoughts and beliefs about oneself (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007). When humans face adversity they have a choice to get disturbed or act in psychologically healthy ways. Depending on the disturbance, the emotional component of it can be expressed in one or more of the following negative emotions: anxiety, depression, guilt, shame etc (Neenan & Dryden, 2010). These are seen to stem from irrational beliefs and may vary in intensity depending on the persons irrational beliefs. On the other hand when individuals respond healthily to same adversities, they still experience negative emotions for example, of concern, sadness, remorse etc but these are seen to stem from rational beliefs (Neenan & Dryden, 2010). The fourth assumption is that blame is the cause for propensity of humans to internalize negative thoughts and beliefs (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007). People continuously blame themselves for events and actions and this result in irrational thoughts about these events and actions that in turn lead to negative thoughts about oneself and thus make an individual to feel emotionally disturbed. Scope and problems addressed by the Theory The theory provides a useful framework for both individual and group psychotherapy. The theory essentially covers the interplay between emotions, behaviors and beliefs. This framework was expanded by Ellis because of the earlier misconceptions that rational therapy ignored emotions and behaviors and expected clients to always remain calm, unemotional and logical. Over time Ellis refined the theory to cover emotions and behaviors having realized the ongoing interplay between cognitions emotions and actions (Neenan & Dryden, 2010). The theory has been used to help clients overcome many problems and these include: people with depression, anxiety disorders, anger, obsessive-compulsive disorder, marital discord, sexual dysfunction and morbid jealousy (Neenan & Dryden, 2010). One of the most important goal of psychotherapy is helping clients to move towards self-actualization. Ellis lays emphasis on the importance of self acceptance saying that it is more valuable than self esteem. The theory has been of great influence to the field of psychology by showing and bringing to light the various aspects that lead to irrational decisions (Neenan & Dryden, 2010). The proposition that actions are not as a result of events but the beliefs that a person hold about the events, changed the way psychotherapists approached many of the problems discussed above. The above mentioned problems have affected people for a very long time and this theory proposed a set of techniques that have been very important in addressing these problems and therefore has saved many people from making irrational decisions that could have cost them their lives. The main intervention strategies in REBT The theory has developed a variety of strategies that are used in helping solve some of the problems mentioned above. The strategies are categorized into three broad categories that is cognitive strategies, emotive strategies and behavioral strategies. In cognitive strategies the theory aims at handling the attitudes and beliefs that the patient holds especially the irrational ones. Here a variety of other techniques are employed. The first is disrupting the irrational beliefs of the client and this entails the therapists actively disputing the irrational thoughts in an effort to help the client to learn how to do the same (Ridgway, 2005). This is called rational analysis and its aim is to dispute the beliefs that underlie the client’s distress. The second technique is doing cognitive homework which enables the client to be aware of the negative self fulfilling prophesies that they create (Ridgway, 2005). The homework may include making lists of problems, identifying absolute (usually irrational) beliefs or completing the REBT Self Help Form. The last technique is changing ones language and this is done in order to encourage the client to replace the shoulds, oughts and musts with their personal preferences in an effort to think, behave and eventually feel different (Windy & Neenan, 2004). In the Emotive Strategies, the first technique used is called the Rational –emotive imagery and this is a form of mental practice that allows the client to think, feel and behave exactly the way he would want to in actual life (Neenan & Dryden, 2010). First the client has to imagine of a situation n which he/she would be upset a great deal. This is done in order to feel the inappropriate intense feelings about the event and then change them to more appropriate feelings (Ridgway, 2005). The second technique is called the shame attacking exercises and the aim of these exercises is to feel unashamed even when others disapprove of their actions (Ridgway, 2005). Such may include things like wearing loud clothes to attract attention, singing at the top of their voices, asking a stupid question during a lecture etc. These exercises are composed of both emotive and behavioral components. The Behavioral Strategies are used also as forms of interventions because of the belief of REBT that actions can change cognitions. The first technique employed under this group is the exposure technique and this is where lonely people are encouraged to go out and talk to dozens people (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007) for instance at the shopping center or at a party and this helps them by proving to them that meeting people is not as unpleasant as they had previously thought. The second technique is called stepping out of character and this involves the use of paradoxical behavior (Ridgway, 2005). For example a perfectionist may be told to do something that is not to his/ her standard; a person who does not care about himself because he believes it to be self is invited to indulge in a personal treat. Effectiveness of the strategies The techniques described above are effective because of the fact that they lay emphasis on putting newly acquired insights into action. Here it is not just enough to experience new insights; rather the focus is on applying what has been learned in a productive, healthy promoting way (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007). The mentioned techniques are comprehensive and thus the REBT tool is useful for therapists and allows them to draw from cognitive, behavioral and emotive techniques depending on the situation at hand (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007). However these techniques have been criticized because of the confrontational nature of the theory. It has been argued that not all clients respond well to a confrontational style and some may be frightened off by this type of therapy (Rorer, 1999). Furthermore the REBT therapits are capable of misusing their power with clients by imposing their own ideas on the clients. The clients must not in any way feel pressure to subscribe to the beliefs and values of the therapist (Rorer, 1999). Therefore it is important that a client-therapist relationship is established that is balanced, cooperative, trusting in order to arrive at a beneficial outcome (Gregoire & Jungers, 2007). References Collard, J., & O'Kelly, M. (2011). Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy:A positive Perspective. Journal of rational-Emotional & cognitive- Behavior Therapy , 29(4): 248-256. Dryden, W. (Ed.). (2003). Rational emotive behavior therapy: theoretical developments. Philadelphia, PA: Brunner-Routledge. Ellis, A. (2003). The Relationship of rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to Social Psychology. Journal of Rational- Emotive & Cognitive -Behavior Therapy , 21 (1): 5. Ellis, A., & Ellis, D. J. (2011). Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. New York: APA. Gregoire, J., & Jungers, C. M. (2007). The counselor's Companion: what every beginning counselor needs to know. New York: Routledge Publishers. Levinson, M. H. (2010). Alfred Korzybski and Rational emotive behavior Therapy. ETC: A review of General semantics , 67(1):55-63. Macinnes, D. (2004). The theories underpinning rational emotive behaviour therapy:: where is the supportive evidence. International journal of nursing studies , 41(6): 685-695. Neenan, & Dryden. (2010, June 29). The distinctive Features of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Retrieved February 2, 2012, from sage Publications: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/36870_Neenan_&_Dryden_(REBT)_2e_CH_01.pdf Overholser, J. C. (2003). Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy: An Interview with ALbert Ellis. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy , 33(3): 187-204. Ridgway, I. R. (2005). Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from http://myauz.com/ianr/articles/lect6rebtellis.pdf Rorer, G. L. (1999). Dealing with the Intellectual-Insight Problem in Cognitive and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy , 17(4): 217-236. Windy, D., & Neenan, M. (2004). Rational emotive behavioral counselling in action. London: Sage Publishers. Read More