Irrational beliefs and psychological needs

Studied the relationship between irrational beliefs and 15 psychological needs described by Murray. The Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) and the Adjective Check List (ACL) were administered to 46 high school students and 50 adults. Results of stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that five IBT scales and IBT Full-Scale were significantly associated with psychological needs. It was concluded that pathological behavior could not be readily predicted on the basis of irrational beliefs. It was further concluded that Ellis' model of personality obtained additional validating evidence.     

Perfectionism,Distress, and Irrational Beliefs in High School Students: Analyses with an Abbreviated Survey of Personal Beliefs for Adolescents

The current study examined the associations between dimensions of perfectionism and irrational beliefs in an adolescent sample. In addition, we tested the association between psychological distress and irrational beliefs in adolescents and we evaluated the feasibility of creating a modified version of the Survey of Personal Beliefs for use with adolescents. A sample of 250 adolescents (108 males, 142 females) completed the Child-Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, the Survey of Personal Beliefs, and the CES-D Depression Scale. Initial psychometric analyses yielded an abbreviated 30-item Survey of Personal Beliefs with adequate internal consistency for four of the five subscales. Our results showed that self-oriented perfectionism was associated significantly with all five irrational belief subscales, while the associations between socially prescribed perfectionism and irrational belief subscales were much smaller in magnitude. Self-oriented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism, and irrational beliefs were all associated significantly with elevated distress among adolescents, and irrational beliefs predicted unique variance in distress, over and above the variance attributable to the trait perfectionism dimensions. The findings confirmed the association between perfectionism and irrational beliefs and their respective roles in psychological distress among adolescents.     

Stress mindset in athletes: Investigating the relationships between beliefs,challenge and threat with psychological wellbeing

ObjectiveStress is omnipresent in daily life and can be acutely experienced by athletes due to additional circumstances such as deselection and injury. Trait beliefs athletes have about the stress they experience as well as the cognitive appraisals of this stress may be important in determining psychological wellbeing. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between stress mindset, irrational beliefs, cognitive appraisals and psychological wellbeing in athletes using path analysis. Broadly speaking, it was hypothesised that stress mindset would relate negatively to depressive symptoms and positively to vitality through appraisals (i.e., challenge and threat), while irrational beliefs would relate to positively to depressive symptoms and negatively to vitality through appraisals.Methods415 athletes (227 females, Mage = 33.86 years, SD = 17.73) completed an online questionnaire pack assessing stress mindset, irrational beliefs, challenge and threat appraisals, depressive symptoms, and vitality. Using path analysis, the tested hypothesised model demonstrated an excellent fit to the data.ResultsFindings demonstrate that the relationships between stress mindset, irrational beliefs and psychological wellbeing is linked by direct and indirect effects of challenge and threat in athletes. Stress mindset was positively associated with challenge and negatively associated with threat, whilst self-depreciation and awfulizing demonstrated significant positive associations with threat. Self-depreciation was found to significantly relate to stress mindset, challenge, threat and depressive symptoms to a greater extent than the other types of irrational beliefs.ConclusionsFindings suggest practitioners should be aware of the role that stress mindset and other irrational beliefs have in potentially influencing athlete psychological wellbeing.     

An experimental test of a core REBT hypothesis: evidence that irrational beliefs lead to physiological as well as psychological arousal

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.     

Personality Traits Predict Irrational Beliefs

Irrational beliefs are the focus of many psychological theories, since research has shown that holding irrational beliefs often leads to unhealthy emotions, dysfunctional behaviors, and psychological disturbances. The aim of such therapies as rational emotive behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy is to dispute irrational beliefs to promote more rational ways of thinking; however they do not take into account individual personality differences. The aim of this study was to determine whether personality traits predict rational and irrational beliefs in a mixed student and clinical sample. It was hypothesized that the domains of the five factor model of personality would predict rational beliefs as well as a range of irrational beliefs. Our findings supported the hypothesis, showing distinct associations between personality traits and each specific irrational belief. Neuroticism predicted rational beliefs as well as six out of the seven types of irrational beliefs measured. Additionally, extraversion predicted rationality and self-downing, openness predicted need for comfort and total irrationality, and conscientiousness predicted need for achievement and demand for fairness. Agreeableness did not predict any type of rational or irrational beliefs. Knowledge of these distinct relationships may increase a clinician’s ability to conceptualize a therapy case and determine the best approach to treatment.     

Irrational beliefs and bulimia symptoms

The psychological correlates of bulimia include affective disorder and emotional liability. In addition, emotional liability appears to precipitate binge-purge episodes. It has been proposed that emotional liability is a function of irrational beliefs regarding personal performance, interpersonal relationships and self-control. Irrational beliefs and bulimia symptoms were assessed with psychometrically valid self-report measures. Correlational analyses showed that the irrational beliefs of Anxious Overconcern, Problem Avoidance, Helplessness and Blame Proneness are separately correlated with bulimia symptoms. The implications for the psychological assessment and treatment of bulimia symptoms are discussed.Jeffrey M. Lohr, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Arkansas. His research interests are in the assessment of irrational beliefs and their association with dysphoric motivational states.Donna L. Parkinson, M.A., is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology at the University of Arkansas. Her research interests are in the assessment of eating disorders.     

The news media and psychological distress

Abstract

The twentieth century has been marked by advances in communications technology as well as mounting psychological distress. This study explored the premise that exposure to negative news via the media contributes to anxiety and depression. Levels of news media exposure, stress levels, irrational beliefs, optimism-pessimism, anxiety, and depression were assessed (n=239) and analyzed using multiple regression techniques. Negative stress was directly related to anxiety and depression. News media exposure and anxiety were positively related at low levels of irrationality. News media exposure was predictive of trait anxiety at low levels of optimism. However, media exposure was not predictive of depression. The implications of the findings for understanding how the news media impacts stress and the cognitive factors that effect this relationship are discussed.     

Relationship of M.S. Belief Scale scores to depression and anxiety in hospitalized psychiatric patients

The M.S. Belief Scale (MSB) was administered to 61 psychiatric hospital patients on admission and just prior to discharge. Measures of depression and anxiety were also taken before and after hospital treatment. MSB prescores were positively correlated with presenting levels of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, declines in irrational thinking after a treatment program of cognitive-behavioral therapy were associated with declines in levels of depression. Initial levels of irrational thinking did not accurately predict length of hospital stay. The MSB scores for these patients at admission were considerably higher than for other populations previously reported. However, their discharge levels were comparable to normal levels reported by others. The results suggest a relationship between irrational thinking and depression for hospitalized psychiatric patients.Dr. Templeman is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Pendleton, Oregon.     

Developing decision making in Rugby Union match officials using rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

There is a dearth of applied research to inform psychological provision for match-officials. The application of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT; Ellis, 1957) is becoming established as an effective psychological intervention with elite performers. This paper examined the effects of four one-to-one REBT sessions on irrational beliefs, anxiety, decision rumination and reinvestment, and match officiating performance with two elite rugby match officials. Using a single-case, staggered multiple-baseline across participants research design, visual and statistical analyses showed that the intervention brought about significant, immediate and maintained (12 week follow-up) reductions in irrational beliefs. Furthermore, participants also reported reductions in anxiety, and decision making reinvestment, alongside increased match official performance for one participant. The current study lends some initial support for the application of REBT with match officials, and develops understanding into potential links between irrational beliefs and decision making performance. The results are discussed in terms of theory, applied implications, limitations and future research.     

我国城市居民消费心理预期的结构及其影响因素研究

本研究采用自编《消费心理预期结构问卷》对1097名城市居民进行了研究,结果表明：1《消费心理预期结构问卷》具有较高的信度和效度;2．消费心理预期由预测经历、信息量、价格知觉水平、信息来源与渠道,以及预测依据等5个因素构成;3．现阶段,我国城市居民消费心理预期的一般特点是预期的准确性不高预期的理性化程度尚有待提高;影响消费心理预期结构的主要因素是消费者的性另、年龄、学历、职业和所在城市等变量。     

改变“低挫折容忍度”的心理干预及效果评估 —— 一位奥运银牌运动员的个案研究

研究目的是描述对一名奥运选手L在奥运会前一年中进行的心理干预,以改变其“低挫折容忍度”的过程,以及评价这一理性情绪行为疗法与心理技能训练相结合的心理干预的效果。在不同的时间点采用各种评估方法对干预效果进行评估,主要的评估方法包括采用目标获得评价表进行的运动员L自我评估和教练员评估,运动员L、教练员、及搭档的“阶段性总结”评价,以及对L比赛行为的录像资料分析。通过各种评估方法所获得的结果的一致性证明了该干预方法在改变运动员的问题行为方面是有效的。通过对运动员L的问题行为的改变,提升了他在比赛中的运动表现,该运动员与其搭档在2004年雅典奥运会乒乓球男子双打项目上获得了银牌     

一例失恋心理的案例报告

本文是一例使用合理情绪疗法咨询一般心理问题的个案。咨询中综合使用各种技术方法,让来访者与其不合理信念进行辩论,帮助其识别自己的不合理信念并代之以合理的信念,同时协助来访者对咨询效果进行巩固。通过心理咨询,来访者的悲伤情绪得以缓解,社会适应能力及心理承受能力都得到了提高,人格进一步完善。     

Irrational Beliefs in Employees with an Adjustment,a Depressive,or an Anxiety Disorder: a Prospective Cohort Study

It remains unclear if patients with different types of common mental disorders, such as adjustment, anxiety and depressive disorders, have the same irrational ideas. The aim of this prospective cohort study (n = 190) is to investigate differences in level and type of irrational beliefs among these groups and to examine whether a change in irrational beliefs is related to symptom recovery. Irrational beliefs (IBI) and symptoms were measured at four points in time: at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months. Results showed that diagnostic groups differed in their level of irrational beliefs and this effect remained over time. Highest levels of irrationality were observed in the double diagnosis group, followed by the anxiety disorder group and the depression group. Participants with adjustment disorders showed the lowest levels of irrationality, comparable to a community sample. We did not find differences in the type of irrational beliefs between diagnostic groups. The level of irrationality declined over time for all diagnostic groups. No differences in decrease were observed between diagnostic groups. The magnitude and direction of change in irrational beliefs were related to the magnitude of recovery of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms over time. These results support the application of general cognitive interventions, especially for patients with a depressive or an anxiety disorder.     

Irrational beliefs and the impact of stressful life events

The Ellis (1962) rational emotive therapy model would predict that individuals characterized by high levels of irrational beliefs would evaluate the impact of personally experienced life events as more negative (or less positive) than would individuals chartacterized by low levels of irrational beliefs. A sample of 155 undergraduate females provided data on irrational beliefs and a life experiences survey which included event impact ratings. The results provided general support for the hypothesis of a relationship between beliefs and perceived impact of stressful life events.     

试论现代社会变化对人们心理健康的影响

分析现代社会变化的特点与心理问题的内在关系,现实的社会变化对人们心理健康既有积极影响,也有很大危害.焦虑等心理障碍的发生与社会变化的非理性因素有密切关系.在促进社会发展中要考虑社会变化对心理健康的影响后果,根据心理卫生的要求扬优抑劣,尽量避免或减少其对心理的劣性刺激.     

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of a Measure of Child Irrationality

The article describes results from two studies that examined the psychometric properties of a measure of irrational thinking, the Child and Adolescent Scale of Irrationality (CASI), based on the model of REBT. Participants were 1034 children and parents recruited through schools and clinical settings. While the internal consistency of the total scale was quite high, the reliability of the proposed irrational subscales were considerably lower and an exploratory factor analysis failed to yield interpretable factors. Discriminative validity was demonstrated between subjects in clinical settings and school-based subjects on the total scale score and two of the irrational subscales. The total scale score and irrational subscales were correlated with ratings of behavior and emotion, with higher irrationality being correlated with higher levels of emotional and behavioral disturbance. Overall, while problems exist with the factor structure and reliability of the irrational subscales, the CASI appears to adequately measure irrational beliefs. Therefore, it may be clinically useful as a screener when working with children and adolescents.     

Rationality and Future Discounting

The best justification of time-discounting is roughly that it is rational to care less about your more distant future because there is less of you around to have it. I argue that the standard version of this argument, which treats both psychological continuity and psychological connectedness as reasons to care about your future, can only rationalize an irrational—because exploitable—form of future discounting.

     

中国证券投资者的投资行为与个性特征

本研究采用综合性行为金融学手段,探索证券投资者的一般行为特征、心理特征以及行为特征和心理特征之间的关系。本实验首先采用访谈法对专业人士进行访谈,了解投资者的基本心理结构、一般的行为方式以及对证券市场的信息进行加工、决策的主要因素。在访谈基础上编制调查问卷,在全国7个城市(北京、上海、深圳、武汉、成都、西安和沈阳)对1063名投资者进行了问卷调查,从心理学角度对中国证券投资者的行为与心理特征进行了分析。结果表明：中国股市还是一个政策市,投资者对所投资对象的了解程度越高,掌握的投资知识越多,以及具备较高的独立性和自我效能,盈利的可能性越大。     

Marital Adjustment and Irrational Beliefs

The present study was designed to determine which aspects of Ellis' irrational beliefs as well as emotional traits (anxiety, curiosity, anger) differentiate couples attending marriage counseling from couples couple not attending marriage counseling as well as levels of marital satisfaction in couples as measured by the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test. Participants were 61 married couples, 18 of whom were attending marriage counseling and 43 who were not attending marriage counseling. Each partner completed a number of self-report questionnaires containing items measuring irrational /rational beliefs, anger, anxiety and curiosity, and communication skills. Correlational and multiple regression analyses indicate support for Albert Ellis' proposition concerning the importance of individual partner's emotional traits and accompanying irrational beliefs in marital adjustment and dissatisfaction. Self-downing and need for comfort were the dimensions of irrational thinking most strongly related to marital dysfunction. Anger, anxiety but neither curiosity nor communication skills distinguished individuals experiencing or not experiencing marital problems. Implications for relationship counseling are briefly discussed.