Which theorist is associated with Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?

• A. Aaron Beck
• B. Albert Ellis
• C. Donald Meichenbaum
• D. Albert Bandura

Answer: (B)

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy centers on how irrational beliefs shape emotional responses. Albert Ellis developed REBT in the 1950s, teaching people to identify irrational beliefs like “I must be perfect” and dispute them with logical, empirical, and pragmatic arguments, then replace them with more rational beliefs. The approach uses the idea that an activating event leads to beliefs, which in turn produce emotional and behavioral consequences, and through disputing those beliefs (and seeing new effects) change occurs. This is why Albert Ellis is the theorist associated with REBT. The other names listed contributed to CBT in different ways—Beck with cognitive therapy focusing on automatic thoughts, Meichenbaum with cognitive-behavioral modification and coping skills, and Bandura with social cognitive theory and self-efficacy—so they aren’t tied to REBT.