irrational beliefs of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

What are Rational and Irrational Beliefs?

According to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy,beliefs are evaluations
about events- the A (see the ABC model). These evaluations heavily
influence a person's feelings and behaviors (Dryden, 2002, p 5)

Rational Beliefs are flexible or non extreme, consistant with reality,
logical, and helpful to the individual in achieving his or her goals
(Dryden, 2002, p. 7)

On the contrary, Irrational Beliefs are rigid or extreme, inconsistent with
reality, illogical, and hinder an individual from achieving his or her goals
(Dryden, 2002, p. 9).

REBT proposes that rational beliefs contribute to healthy feelings
(sadness, annoyance, concern, etc.) and self helping behaviors.
Whereas, irrational beliefs contribute to unhealthy feelings (depression,
rage,extreme anxiety, etc.) and self defeating behaviors.

The term irrational means "self defeating" rather than merely illogical.
Consequently, many REBTers perfer to classify beliefs as self defeating
or self helping rather than rational or irrational.

When Ellis first began developing REBT, he listed the irrational beliefs
of his clients. He discovered that many of his clients' irrational beliefs
could be narrowed down to a list of twelve common irrational beliefs.

Later, Ellis narrowed down his list to three "core" irrational beliefs.

Ellis eventually discovered that all irrational beliefs consisted of a
demand (an unrealistic mandate that others, ourselves, or the world be
different than it is) and, at least, one of three derivatives-
Low Frustration Tolerence, Awfulizing, or People Rating.

It is important to note
that not all illogical
beliefs are self
defeating.

Some may consider the
exsistance of a Supreme
Spiritual Being as being
irrational (because some
say that there is no
evidence for it's
exsistance and it
therefore cannot be
proven).

However, even though
this belief may be
considered irrational to
some, it could still be
self helping in that it
helps the individual to
achieve his or her goals.

The belief may bring
comfort to the person's
life, does not contribute
to unhealthy feelings,
and encourages him or
her to act well toward
him or herself and
society. In this case, the
belief would not be a
target for intervention.