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Self-reported affect and core irrational thinking: A preliminary analysis

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Abstract

Prior tests of irrational thinking have included affect words in their irrational idea statements. Thus, because of content similarity, spuriously high correlations may have been previously observed between the endorsement of irrational ideas and self reported affect. A new measure of core irrational ideas, the Personal Beliefs Test, was given to 70 adults between the ages of 17 and 58. Results showed moderate correlations with neuroticism and self-reported negative affect, and a non-significant association with positive affect, thus supporting RET theory. Most of the explained variance in negative affect was related to the endorsement of irrational, Low Frustration Tolerance and Self Worth statements. This suggests that rational emotive therapists might devote greater time to disputing these ideas. Since most studies, including the present one, find only moderate correlations (i.e. .20 to .70) between irrational thinking and negative affect, it seems important to review the hypothesis that such thinking is theprimary cause of emotionality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Psychology at Hofstra University in New York, New York, USA

    Howard Kassinove Ph. D. (Professor of Psychology and Director for Doctoral Training)

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  1. Howard Kassinove Ph. D.
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He is a Fellow of the Institute for Rational Emotive Therapy and Holds the ABPP diploma in Clinical Psychology.

Copies of the Personal Beliefs Test can be obtained from the author.

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Kassinove, H. Self-reported affect and core irrational thinking: A preliminary analysis. J Rational-Emot Cognitive-Behav Ther 4, 119–130 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01074170

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