Chapter 9: Rationale Emotive Behavior Therapy

Albert Ellis created the theory, REBT. He believed that if we want to change various dysfunctional psychological outcomes (e.g., depressed mood), we have to change their main cognitive determinant, and irrational beliefs. REBT focuses on a specific type of cognition, rational and irrational beliefs. Rational beliefs are logically, empirically, and/or pragmatically supported, and generate functional consequences (e.g., functional feelings, adaptive behaviors, healthy psycho physiological reactions). And irrational beliefs are illogical, non-empirical, and/or non-pragmatic, and generate dysfunctional consequences (e.g., dysfunctional feelings, maladaptive behaviors, and unhealthy psycho physiological reactions). He said that when we face various activating events, we come with our own desires (motivational relevance). If we had no desires, we would not experience feelings. Our desires (i.e., primary appraisal) can be formulated irrationally or rationally.

Applying this to Student affairs practices would create motivation and basic survival goals for students to discover their rational beliefs and become in tune with their feelings. By helping students to change their irrational beliefs to rational beliefs would help to give students insight and support them to feel better and and get better.

Video: Do not need video for this chapter.