Theoretical underpinnings of CBT and REBT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The theoretical underpinnings of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy: examining the hierarchal structure of appraisals in individuals suffering from depression and under stress
IRAS ID
127529
Contact name
Eleanor Haddock
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance & Ethics Manager
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ERN_13-1270, Univeristy of Birmingham Ethics Self Assessment Form
Research summary
The aim of the research is to examine the hierarchical structure of irrational beliefs, in accordance with the theory of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy(REBT), in a clinical population and in a student population. The former will be those suffering and currently in treatment for Depression, the latter will be an undergraduate sample due to take exams. The theory of REBT is that irrational beliefs including demands, awfulising, low frustration tolerance and self/other downing, influence on how we feel and how we behave. REBT theorists would advocated that there is a hierarchical structure of irrational beliefs; the primary appraisal being the demands, which are then followed by the other types of irrational beliefs (David, Lynn & Ellis, 2009).
In contrast, Cognitive Therapy (Beck, 1976) suggests that self-depreciation beliefs (or self-downing beliefs) are the primary appraisal mechanisms which lead to negative automatic thoughts or processing biases such as arbitrary influences (jumping to conclusions), selective abstraction (focusing on one detail) and dichotomous thinking (black and white thinking). As with REBT, such different styles of thinking lead to changes in both emotional and physiological domains and result in changes of behaviour (Beck, 2011). Although both model share commonalities in that they believe that irrational thoughts are rigid, fixed and inflexible (Beck, 2011; Ellis, 1962; David, Lynn, Ellis, 2009; Grant et al., 2008) they differ in the hierarchical structure of the beliefs system.
Two literature reviews have been conducted one of which found no evidence of the appraisal mechanism and one found some support for the REBT model (MacInnes, 2004; Haddock, unpublished). More research in this area could provide guidance and treatment protocols which may maintain benefits for therapy. A number of factors need to be considered when conducting this type of research includes the measures used to examine distress, measures used to examine beliefs, sample size and statistical analysis used.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
14/WS/1011
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion