Albert Ellis - Summary

Personality Theories

REBT - Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy - Theory
A - activating experiences: This can be seen as something disturbing you (eg: family troubles)
B - Irrational Beliefs: This can be seen as beliefs that are the sources of our unhappiness (e.g: I suck)
C - Consequences: This is the neurotic emotions and behaviour that comes from our beliefs
D - Dispute the irrational beliefs: the therapist should dispute the irrational beliefs (i.e.: you dont suck) - This is the most important step a therapist must take
E - Effects: Once the beliefs have been disputed, then you can enjoy the positive effects of rational beliefs

Twelve examples of irrational beliefs that Ellis often mentions:
1 - We must all be loved - instead of loving, and having self respect to ourselves
2 - evil act = evil person - instead of seeing inappropriate behaviour needs help changing
3 - if you dont like things the way they are, then they are horrible - instead of trying to change it or accepting it
4 - misery is externally caused (by someone else) - rather than internal views
5 - if something is dangerous, then we get obsessed about it - instead of trying to face it and conquer
6 - easier to avoid life difficulties then face them - instead of understanding that easy way is often hard 
7 - it is easier and better to rely on something else - instead of self reliance
8 - we should always be perfect - instead accepting imperfect nature of self
9 - the fact that if something affects our life, it stays for life - instead of trying to learn from experiences
10 - accepting perfection - instead of accepting imperfection of world, and chaos
11 - the notion of happiness by doing nothing - instead of happiness by doing something about it
12 - the idea of no emotional control - instead of realising the control

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