What is the impact of irrational beliefs on behavior?

• A. They strengthen objective analysis.
• B. They can lead to dysfunctional feelings and behaviors.
• C. They reduce emotional distress.
• D. They have no impact on actions.

Answer: (B)

Irrational beliefs are rigid, absolutist rules people apply to themselves and the world. In CBT and REBT, these beliefs distort reality and fuel strong, unhelpful emotional reactions. When someone thinks “I must be perfect” or “Others must treat me well,” reality never meets those demands, so they typically experience heightened distress—anxiety, anger, or depression—and engage in behaviors like avoidance, self-criticism, or aggressive outbursts. This shows why the best answer is that irrational beliefs can lead to dysfunctional feelings and behaviors. By contrast, irrational beliefs do not strengthen objective analysis; they distort it. They do not reduce distress; they usually increase it. And they do have a significant impact on actions, shaping them in unhelpful ways.