Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The primary focus of this treatment approach is to suggest changes in thinking that will lead to changes in behavior, thereby alleviating or improving symptoms. The therapy emphasizes changing irrational thinking patterns that cause emotional distress into thoughts that are more reasonable and rational. RET
can be used to treat people affected from disorders such as anxiety, depression and stress. Rational emotive therapy was developed by Albert Ellis in the mid-1950s. Ellis proposed that people become unhappy and develop self-defeating habits because of unrealistic or faulty beliefs. In research reports from Ellis in 1979 and 1987 he introduced the model that most irrational beliefs originate from three core ideas, each one of which is unrealistic. These three core and unrealistic views
include: 1) I must perform well to be approved of by others who are perceived significant; 2) you must treat me fairly—if not, then it is horrible and I cannot bear it; 3) conditions must be my way and if not I cannot stand to live in such a terrible and awful world. These irrational thoughts can lead to grief and needless suffering. As a therapy, RET is active. The RET therapist strives to change irrational beliefs, challenge thinking, and promote rational self-talk, and various
strategies are used to achieve these goals. These strategies may include: disputing irrational beliefs (the therapist points out how irrational it would be for a client to believe he or she had to be good at everything to be considered a worthwhile person), reframing (situations are viewed from a more positive angle), problem solving, role-playing, modeling , and the use of humor. The client may also be requested to complete certain exercises at home, and bibliotherapy (reading about the
disorder) may also be used as components of RET.
Related Questions
Q39:
A hierarchy of fears may be used in: A)aversive conditioning. B)systematic desensitization. C)transference. D)manifest structuring.
Q40:
Giovanni abuses cocaine; Hans has a dog phobia.Which alternative below correctly identifies the behavioral treatment most appropriate for each of these individuals? A)Giovanni-aversive conditioning; Hans-exposure treatment B)Giovanni-systematic desensitization; Hans-exposure treatment C)Giovanni-aversive conditioning; Hans-systematic desensitization D)Giovanni-exposure treatment; Hans-aversive conditioning
Q41:
Which of the following alternatives correctly illustrates a term in Ellis's A-B-C model? A)Activating condition-"I must get the top score in the class; a perfect score." B)Irrational belief-extreme anxiety C)Emotional consequence-a midterm test is scheduled for next week D)Irrational belief-"I will never get a good score on my test."
Q42:
How is cognitive therapy different from rational-emotive therapy? A)It entails a more confrontational therapist. B)It entails a less confrontational therapist. C)It is relatively long term and loosely structured. D)It aims to change people's behavior,rather than their thought pattern.
Q43:
How might one best respond to the charge that behavior therapy produces only a superficial change in external behavior? A)Research shows that behavior therapies produce the same sorts of insights into one's life that one associates with psychoanalytic and humanistic therapies. B)Neuroscientific evidence shows that behavioral treatments produce actual changes in the functioning of the brain. C)External behavior is a result of internal functions. D)Research shows that behavior therapies and cognitive therapies are fundamentally the same.
Q45:
In person-centered therapy,the therapist: A)challenges the client's irrational statements. B)teaches the client cognitive appraisal techniques. C)uses the token system to monitor behavior. D)provides unconditional positive regard.
Q46:
According to humanistic therapists,psychological disorders result from: A)the inability to find meaning in life and connection to others. B)unconscious conflicts and early experiences. C)irrational thought patterns. D)faulty learning.
Q47:
In _____ appraisal,clients are asked to evaluate situations,themselves,and others in terms of their memories,values,beliefs,thoughts,and expectations. A)cognitive B)psychodynamic C)behavioral D)humanistic
Q48:
Characteristics of cognitive treatment approaches include each of the following EXCEPT that: A)it is relatively short term. B)it focuses on concrete problems. C)it involves an active therapist. D)it is not structured.
Q49:
Which of the following is NOT regarded as one of the strengths of the cognitive approach to treatment? A)It encourages deep insight into one's life. B)It has been successful in dealing with a wide range of problems. C)It is flexible and open to incorporating elements of other approaches to treatment. D)Therapy tends to be highly structured and focused on concrete problems.