Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy

Question 1

AO1: What is REBT?

Answer 1

• Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy was developed by Ellis (1975) and it’s based on irrational thinking being the root of depression.
• Incorporates Ellis’ ABC model which claims that irrational and negative beliefs are the main influence behind emotional well being.
• Therapist aims to challenge patients’ thinking.
• REBT involves reinterpreting the ABC model in a more positive and logical way.

Question 2

AO1: What happens in REBT?

Answer 2

• Clients are asked to complete Homework between therapy sessions as they are vital for testing beliefs out in real world and replacing them with rational beliefs.
• Behavioural Activation is where clients are encouraged to become more active and engage in pleasurable activities.

Question 3

AO1: Expanding ABC Model

Answer 3

• D,E and F were added.
• D is Disputing irrational thoughts and behaviour which includes logical and empirical disputing. Logical is when self defeating beliefs do not follow logically from the info available. Empirical is when self defeating beliefs are not consistent with reality e.g says everyone hates them but invited to party.
• E is Effect of disputing and effective attitudes to life. Effective disputing helps change beliefs to rational beliefs that help client move away from negative thinking.
• F is Feelings where the patient will begin to think more positively.

Question 4

Strength: Research evidence

Answer 4

• REBT is effective way of treating depressive stroke victims.
• This suggest that REBT is a suitable treatment for specific groups of people with depression and allows them to become more positive and rational.
• Evidence for use of CBT being effective by David (2008) where 170 patients who had 14 weeks of REBT were compared against those on drug meds.
• Outcomes were compared 6 months after treatments ended and it was found that REBT was better long term.

Question 5

Weakness: Dependent on clients

Answer 5

• Heavily dependant on clients being articulate and being able to talk about their problems coherently.
• So, REBT may not be effective on people with severe symptoms who are unable to talk or communicate properly or those who feel uncomfortable talking about their feelings to a psychologist.
• In this case, drug meds is more effective.

Question 6

Weakness: Overemphasising role of cognition

Answer 6

• Criticised for overemphasising on the role of cognition as it suggests that a person’s irrational thinking is the primary cause.
• REBT does not take into account other factors like genetics or neurotransmitters.
• Circumstances such as domestic violence or abuse is ignored as patient does not need to change their mindset but their circumstance. So REBT is seen as ineffective.