Abstract
While numerous studies support Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Theory (REBT), they tend to be limited by their use of correlational designs, simulated scenarios and self-report measures. This study tested a core REBT hypothesis in an experimental design using multiple physiological as well as psychological measures. Ninety patients from a medical practice were placed in a real-life stressful situation while holding either a rational, an irrational, or an indifference belief. Those holding a rational belief reported the greatest increase in concern whereas those holding an irrational belief reported the greatest increase in anxiety. Of particular significance, those holding a rational belief showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure whereas those holding an irrational belief showed an increase (diastolic blood pressure increased in both conditions). These results not only support the core REBT hypothesis, but also suggest a way to differentiate between beliefs and emotions by measuring physiological as well as psychological changes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asmundson G. J., Stein M. B., (1994). Vagal attenuation in panic disorder: an assessment of parasympathetic nervous system function and subjective reactivity to respiratory manipulations Psychosomatic Medicine 56: 187–193
Bond F. W., Dryden W., (1996). Why two, central REBT hypotheses appear untestable Journal of Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy 14: 29–40
Craighead W. E., Kimball W., Rehak P., (1979). Mood changes, physiological responses, and self-statements during social rejection imagery Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 47: 385–396
Daly J. J., Burton R. L., (1983). Self esteem and irrational beliefs: an exploratory investigation with implications for counselling Journal of Counselling Psychology 30: 361–366
Dryden W., (2002). Rational emotive behaviour therapy; a reader SAGE London
Eisenberg D. M., Delbanco T. L., Berkey C. S., (1993). Cognitive behavioural techniques for hypertension Annals of Internal Medicine 118: 964–972
Ellis A. (1994). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy (rev. edn.). Secaucus, NJ: Birch Lane
Ellis A., DiGiuseppe R., (1993). Are inappropriate or dysfunctional feelings in Rational-Emotive Therapy qualitative or quantitative? Cognitive Therapy and Research 17(5): 471–477
Goldfried M., Sobocinski D., (1975). Effect of irrational beliefs on emotional arousal Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 43: 504–510
Heppner P., Kivlighan D., Wampold B., (1999). Research design in counselling 2 ed. Wadsworth Publishing Company Belmont
Jones R. A., (1968). A factored measure of Ellis’ irrational belief system with personality and maladjustment correlates Dissertation Abstracts International 29: 4379–4380
Jonsson A., Hanson L., (1977) Prolonged exposure to a stressful stimulus (noise) as a cause of raised blood pressure in man Lancet 1: 86–87
Master S., Gershman L., (1983). Physiological responses to rational-emotive self-verbalizations Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 14: 289–296
Nelson R., (1977). Irrational beliefs and depression Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 45: 1190–1191
Noyes R., Clancy J., Hoenk T. R., Slymen D. J., (1980). The prognosis of anxiety neurosis Archives General Psychiatry 37: 173–176
Shapiro D., Goldstein I. B., Jamner L. D., (1996). Effects of cynical hostility, anger out, and defensiveness on ambulatory blood pressure in black and white college students Psychosomatic Medicine 58: 354–364
Shorkey C. T., Whiteman V. L., (1977). Development of the rational behavior inventory: initial validity and reliability Educational and Psychological Measurement 37: 527–534
Vocks S., Ockenfels M., Jurgensen R., Mussgay L., Ruddel H., (2004). Blood pressure reactivity can be reduced by a cognitive behavioural stress management program International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 11: 63–70
Whitehead W. E., Blackwell B., De Silva H., Robinson A., (1994). Anxiety and anger in hypertension Journal of Psychosomatic Research 21: 383–389
Zeller A., Handschin D., Gyr M. B., Battegay E., (2004). Blood pressure and heart rate of students undergoing a medical licensing examination Blood Pressure 13: 20–24
Zurawski R. M., Smith T. W., (1987). Assessing irrational beliefs and emotional distress: evidence and implications of limited discriminant validity Journal of Consulting Psychology 34: 224–227
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harris, S., Davies, M.F. & Dryden, W. An experimental test of a core REBT hypothesis: evidence that irrational beliefs lead to physiological as well as psychological arousal. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 24, 101–111 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-005-0019-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-005-0019-5