What is a core premise of REBT's philosophy toward emotional disturbance?

• A. Emotional disturbance is caused by external events alone.
• B. Emotional disturbance arises from irrational beliefs; disputing and replacing them with rational beliefs improves emotions.
• C. Emotions cannot be changed by therapy.
• D. Emotional disturbance is solely due to genetics.

Answer: (B)

In REBT, emotional disturbance comes from the way we interpret events, not from the events themselves. People cling to irrational beliefs—rigid musts, absolute shoulds, and catastrophizing judgments—that amplify distress. The therapeutic move is to dispute these beliefs and replace them with rational, flexible alternatives. By challenging the faulty beliefs and adopting more realistic ones, emotions become more balanced and adaptive. This fits the ABC idea: activating event triggers beliefs, which produce emotional and behavioral consequences; changing the beliefs changes the emotional outcome. For example, a setback at work becomes less distressing when it’s interpreted as a learning opportunity rather than a proof of personal worthlessness.