L2 - Personality theories

Question 1

What did Fiske and Taylor (1991) argue about human thinking?

Answer 1

That we act as ‘cognitive misers’ –> our thinking style is biased to what our own beliefs/ perceptions.

This can be positive as it’s helpful for cognitive processing - we only ‘allow’ information that suits are original thought.

However, this also aids the development of irrational thoughts e.g., stereotypes

Question 2

Who developed rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)?

Answer 2

William Ellis 1995

Question 3

What is REBT?

Answer 3

An action-oriented therapeutic approach that encourages emotional growth by helping people replace their irrational thoughts, feelings and actions with new and more effective ones

Question 4

What are the 2 main concepts of REBT?

Answer 4

rational and irrational thoughts

Question 5

How did Ellis define rational thought?

Answer 5

In context it’s the fundamental goals, purposes and values in life that drive the willingness to be alive a the forefront and secondly, happiness.

Question 6

What does Ellis propose about emotion?

Answer 6

Emotions and feelings of emotional disturbance are largely due to an individuals own thoughts.

He suggests that peoples emotional distress is largely due to their own unreasonable, irrational. fears that make individuals feel anxious, depressed self-hating etc.

Question 7

What is the Logico-empirical approach?

Answer 7

the belief that we have our own interpretations of the world and this impacts the way we interpret/ perceive events

Various different possible interpretations of the same situation can generate different emotional responses and that our emotions aren’t caused by other people but by how we think.

Question 8

What 4 processes are used to interpret the world?

Answer 8

Perception
Sensing
Thinking
Emotion

Question 9

what is the ABC of Emotional Disturbance?

Answer 9

A - Activating experience
B - Beliefs
C - Consequence

e.g. Losing job –> belief that those who don’t work are useless –> Depression

Question 10

What did Ellis believe about the relationship between human development and rational thinking?

Answer 10

Believed that humans have the innate ability to think rationally and irrationally.

However, children are raised by adults who also have innate tendencies towards irrational thinking.

Therefore, individuals rarely experience a totally rational upbringing

Question 11

What are the 8 associations with rational beliefs

Answer 11

• High levels of anxiety
• High levels of depression
• Social dysfunction
• Isolation and withdrawal
• Anger, guilt and jealousy
• Relationship problems
• Problems of dealing with
  criticism
• Lack of control over situations
• Low self-esteem

Question 12

What 6 traits is REBT designed to help develop

Answer 12

• Self-interest
• Self-direction
• Tolerance
• Acceptance of uncertainty
• Flexibility
• Self-acceptance

Question 13

How are Ellis’ descriptions a positive of his research?

Answer 13

Provides clear descriptions that focus on the systems that uncover the cognitive and belief structures of individuals

Question 14

Why is Ellis’ explanations a positive of his research?

Answer 14

Creates a clear system of understanding and exploring of cognitions (ABC model)

Question 15

How does Ellis’ research showcase empirical validity?

Answer 15

The most heavily researched theory in modern psych

Question 16

How is Ellis’ research comprehensive and why is this a strength?

Answer 16

Considers the effects of the individual’s belief system, emotional state and history of learning –> addresses both rational and irrational behaviour.

Question 17

What is the arguable weakness of Ellis’ research and how did he dispute it?

Answer 17

Parsimony - described as being too simplistic.

He disputed this by stating that whilst the theory itself is simplistic its application is more complex.