In the ABC cognitive model, what does B represent?

• A. Activating event
• B. Belief about the event
• C. Consequent emotion and behavior
• D. Disputation of beliefs

Answer: (B)

Our interpretations of what happens drive how we feel and behave more than the event itself. In this model, the beliefs about the triggering event—our automatic thoughts, interpretations, and assumptions—are the crucial middle step. These beliefs shape the emotional and behavioral consequences. For example, if feedback is given, believing “I can learn from this and improve” tends to produce constructive effort, while thinking “I’m a failure and will never get this right” tends to feelings of discouragement and avoidance. The activating event is the trigger, and the consequences are the resulting emotions and actions; disputing beliefs is a technique to change those beliefs, not what the beliefs themselves are. So the belief about the event is what B represents.