After failing a class test, Nidhi feels worthless because she believes, 'I must top every examination'. Her therapist uses Rational Emotive Therapy. Arrange the following steps in the order in which they take place:
(A) The failed test that set off Nidhi's distress is noted as the antecedent event.
(B) The therapist refutes Nidhi's irrational belief through gentle, non-directive questioning.
(C) Nidhi is interviewed to find the irrational belief that is distorting her present reality.
(D) A rational belief system replaces the irrational one and her distress reduces.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, C, B, D
(A) The failed test that set off Nidhi's distress is noted as the antecedent event. — First. First. RET begins with the <strong>ABC analysis</strong>, and its first part is noting the antecedent event that caused the distress.
(C) Nidhi is interviewed to find the irrational belief that is distorting her present reality. — Second. Second. Next the client is interviewed to <strong>find the irrational beliefs</strong>, marked by 'musts' and 'shoulds', that distort her view of the event.
(B) The therapist refutes Nidhi's irrational belief through gentle, non-directive questioning. — Third. Third. Once the belief is known, the therapist <strong>refutes it by non-directive questioning</strong>: gentle questions that make the client think deeper into her assumptions.
(D) A rational belief system replaces the irrational one and her distress reduces. — Fourth. Last. Slowly the client changes her philosophy about life, so <strong>the rational belief system replaces the irrational one</strong> and distress reduces.
Note: Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) was formulated by Albert Ellis.
NCERT (2026-27): “Cognitive Therapy “… 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.” |