Identify the sequence of the procedural steps followed in Rational Emotive Therapy:
(A) There is a reduction in psychological distress
(B) Antecedent-Belief-Consequence analysis is carried out
(C) The rational belief system replaces the irrational belief system
(D) Irrational beliefs are refuted by the therapist through non-directive questioning
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (B), (D), (C), (A)
(B) Antecedent-Belief-Consequence analysis is carried out — Albert Ellis’s therapy begins with the ABC analysis. The antecedent events that caused the distress are noted, and the client is interviewed to find the irrational beliefs that distort the present reality and lead to the consequences, negative emotions and behaviours.
(D) Irrational beliefs are refuted by the therapist through non-directive questioning — once the irrational beliefs are known, the therapist refutes them through gentle, non-directive questioning, without probing or directing, which makes the client think deeper into her or his assumptions about life and problems.
(C) The rational belief system replaces the irrational belief system — gradually the client changes the irrational beliefs by changing her or his philosophy about life, and a rational belief system takes their place.
(A) There is a reduction in psychological distress — the result comes last: with rational beliefs in place, there is a reduction in psychological distress.
NCERT (2025-26): “Cognitive Therapy … Albert Ellis formulated the Rational Emotive Therapy (RET). The central thesis of this therapy is that irrational beliefs mediate between the antecedent events and their consequences. The first step in RET is the antecedent-belief-consequence (ABC) analysis. Antecedent events, which caused the psychological distress, are noted. The client is also interviewed to find the irrational beliefs, which are distorting the present reality. Irrational beliefs may not be supported by empirical evidence in the environment. These beliefs are characterised by thoughts with ‘musts’ and ‘shoulds’, i.e. things ‘must’ and ‘should’ be in a particular manner. Examples of irrational beliefs are, ‘One should be loved by everybody all the time’, ‘Human misery is caused by external events over which one does not have any control’, etc. This distorted perception of the antecedent event due to the irrational belief leads to the consequence, i.e. negative emotions and behaviours. Irrational beliefs are assessed through questionnaires and interviews. In the process of RET, the irrational beliefs are refuted by the therapist through a process of non-directive questioning. The nature of questioning is gentle, without probing or being directive. The questions make the client to think deeper into her/his assumptions about life and problems. Gradually the client is able to change the irrational beliefs by making a change in her/his philosophy about life. The rational belief system replaces the irrational belief system and there is a reduction in psychological distress.…” |