Out of the following statements, identify the statement that holds true for Albert Ellis’s Rational Emotive therapy.
(A) The client is taught to recognise the bodily process and the emotions that are blocked out from awareness thus increasing self awareness and self acceptance
(B) Unwanted behaviour can be reduced and wanted behaviour can be increased simultaneously through differential reinforcement
(C) The first step in RET is the (ABC) antecedent belief consequence analysis.
(D) In the process of RET, the irrational beliefs are refuted by the therapist through a process of non-directive questioning.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (C) and (D) only
Albert Ellis formulated the Rational Emotive Therapy (RET). Its central thesis is that irrational beliefs mediate between the antecedent events and their consequences.
(A) The client is taught to recognise the bodily process and the emotions that are blocked out from awareness thus increasing self awareness and self acceptance Incorrect. This describes gestalt therapy of Fritz and Laura Perls, whose goal is to increase self-awareness and self-acceptance. RET works on beliefs, not on bodily processes.
(B) Unwanted behaviour can be reduced and wanted behaviour can be increased simultaneously through differential reinforcement Incorrect. Differential reinforcement is a technique of behaviour therapy, for example rewarding the wanted behaviour and ignoring the unwanted one. RET changes thoughts, not reinforcements.
(C) The first step in RET is the (ABC) antecedent belief consequence analysis. Correct. 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 consequence, negative emotions and behaviours.
(D) In the process of RET, the irrational beliefs are refuted by the therapist through a process of non-directive questioning. Correct. The questioning is gentle, without probing or being directive; it makes the client think deeper into her or his assumptions, so that the irrational beliefs gradually change.
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.…” “…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.…” “Behaviour Therapy … Unwanted behaviour can be reduced and wanted behaviour can be increased simultaneously through differential reinforcement.…” “Gestalt Therapy … The goal of gestalt therapy is to increase an individual’s self-awareness and self-acceptance. The client is taught to recognise the bodily processes and the emotions that are being blocked out from awareness.…” |