Cognitive Perspective by Albert Ellis

Introduction
Albert Ellis, a prominent figure in psychology, pioneered the cognitive perspective,
which sheds light on how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. Through his
groundbreaking work, particularly in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Ellis
emphasized the power of rational thinking in overcoming emotional distress. His insights
have transformed psychotherapy and inspired individuals to confront their cognitive
distortions, paving the way for improved mental well-being.

Background
Albert Ellis, born in 1913 in Pittsburgh, USA, overcame early hardships, including
health issues and emotional distance from his parents, to become a pioneering psychologist.
His academic journey led him to explore psychology, earning degrees from City College of
New York and Columbia University. Disillusioned with passive therapy approaches,

Albert Ellis was an American psychologist and the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior
Therapy (REBT) and the ABC Theory. He established a psychotherapy training institute in
1959. He is credited with paving the way for Aaron Beck and modern cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT) in the 1960s.

Principles of Cognitive Perspectives by Albert Ellis

Definition and Significance of Cognition in Psychology

Cognition is like your brain's superpower—it's how you think and understand the
world around you. In psychology, cognition is a big deal because it affects everything you do,
from how you see things to how you remember stuff and make decisions.

Explanation of Key Cognitive Processes

Think of cognitive processes like the gears in your brain that make everything work.
There's perception, which is how you see and interpret things around you. Then there's
memory, which is like your brain's storage unit for all the stuff you've experienced. And
decision-making is like your brain's way of picking what to do based on what you know and
feel.
Discussion on the Role of Schemas, Beliefs, and Attitudes
Schemas, beliefs, and attitudes are like the filters in your brain that shape how you see
the world. Schemas are like mental maps that help you make sense of things. Beliefs are what
you think is true or false about yourself and the world. And attitudes are like your feelings
about stuff, which can affect how you think and behave.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
developed by psychologist Albert Ellis. REBT is an action-oriented approach that’s focused
on helping people deal with irrational beliefs and learn how to manage their emotions,
thoughts, and behaviors in a healthier, more realistic way.

When people hold irrational beliefs about themselves or the world, problems can result.
REBT helps people recognize and alter those beliefs and negative thinking patterns in order
to overcome psychological problems and mental distress.

Explanation of the ABC Model: Activating Events, Beliefs, and Consequences

The ABC Model

A major aid in cognitive therapy is what Albert Ellis (1957) called the ABC
Technique of Irrational Beliefs.

The first three steps analyze the process by which a person has developed
irrational beliefs and may be recorded in a three-column table.

A – Activating Event or objective situation. The first column records the objective situation,
that is, an event that ultimately leads to some type of high emotional response or negative
dysfunctional thinking.
B – Beliefs. In the second column, the client writes down the negative thoughts that occurred
to them.

C – Consequence. The third column is for the negative feelings and dysfunctional behaviors
that ensued. The negative thoughts of the second column are seen as a connecting bridge
between the situation and the distressing feelings. The third column, C, is next explained by
describing emotions or negative thoughts that the client thinks are caused by A. This could be
anger, sorrow, anxiety, etc.

Ellis believes that it is not the activating event ( A ) that causes negative emotional and
behavioral consequences ( C ) but rather that a person interprets these events unrealistically
and therefore has an irrational belief system ( B ) that helps cause the consequences ( C ).

Illustration of Techniques Used in REBT to Challenge Irrational Beliefs and Promote

Rational Thinking
Disputation – is a key technique in REBT aimed at changing irrational beliefs. During
disputation, your therapist challenges your irrational beliefs using direct methods. They may
question your beliefs head-on, prompting you to reconsider them, or they might encourage
you to imagine alternative perspectives you haven't considered before. Ellis believed in being
straightforward and logical rather than just offering support, to help you shift your thoughts
and behaviors.

Targeting Emotional Responses

Another important aspect of REBT is replacing irrational beliefs with healthier ones. This can
be a challenging process that might cause discomfort or worry. REBT doesn't just focus on
changing thoughts; it also addresses emotions and behaviors. Alongside disputing irrational
beliefs, therapists and clients work together to address the emotional responses tied to these
thoughts.
Techniques encouraged in REBT include

 Meditation
 Journaling
 Guided imagery

These methods help you manage your emotions and develop healthier thought patterns,
promoting rational thinking and emotional well-being.

REBT Example
Meet Gina. She's feeling really down because she got a low mark on her math test. Here's
how REBT helps her:

Activating Event (A): Gina failed her math test.

Belief (B): Gina believes that she must get good grades to be worthy. So, when she fails, she
feels worthless.

Consequence (C): Gina feels really depressed.

Now, Gina's therapist steps in to help her challenge these negative thoughts:

The therapist reminds Gina that just because she failed a test doesn't mean she's worthless.
They talk about how everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and it's okay to not be perfect.

The therapist helps Gina see that feeling sad or frustrated about a bad grade is normal, but it
doesn't mean she's a bad person. Instead of feeling depressed, Gina can use those feelings to
motivate herself to study harder next time.

By changing her perspective and realizing that her worth isn't tied to her grades, Gina starts to
feel better. She learns to be kinder to herself and focus on improving, rather than letting one
bad grade define her. And that's how REBT helps Gina overcome her negative thoughts and
feel more confident about herself.

Conclusion to Cognitive Perspective by Albert Ellis:

In conclusion, Albert Ellis's cognitive perspective, notably through Rational Emotive

Behavior Therapy (REBT), highlights the crucial link between thoughts, emotions, and
behaviors. By challenging irrational beliefs and promoting rational thinking, Ellis offers
practical strategies for improving mental well-being.
Key points include

 The significance of cognition in shaping human behavior.

 Ellis's pioneering work in developing REBT and the ABC Theory.
 Techniques like disputation used to challenge irrational beliefs.

Overall, the cognitive perspective underscores the importance of addressing cognitive

processes for enhanced mental health and resilience. It provides individuals with tools to
navigate life's challenges more effectively, promoting greater well-being and fulfillment.