by Kristen Tobias, M.A.
It would be appropriate to refer to Dr. Ellis as a raconteur of human nature. He was a supremely gifted psychologist who juxtaposed scholarship with clinical application. Created during the middle of the 20th century, REBT built upon multidisciplinary theories of human nature. Dr. Ellis first trained and practiced as an analyst, observing that individuals felt better as a result of catharsis, but did not get better. Additionally, he was heavily influenced by ancient philosophies such as Stoicism and Epicureanism. Dr. Ellis also credited Alfred Korzybski and his theory of General Semantics as heavily influencing the development of REBT.
Dr. Ellis recognized Korzybski as a pioneer in advocating the idea that individuals benefit from thinking rationally about the self, others, and the world. By extension, rigid, overgeneralized, and dogmatic thinking (i.e. unscientific thinking) is associated with human suffering. This sentiment is consistent with the basic tenet of REBT theory and practice. Our evaluation, or cognitive constructions, of events or experiences cultivate the life philosophy in which we come to adopt.
Korzybski cautioned against the use of absolute subject-predicate relations because the use of this language encompasses inflexible thinking. If the sky is blue, its hue is blue under all conditions, at all times, in the eyes of everyone (which is clearly not the case). One can readily discern the influence of this idea in the REBT principles of unconditional self and other acceptance. REBT encourages individuals to abandon rating of the self; I am neither good, nor bad. Instead, I am someone who does good, neutral, and bad things (and likely elements of all in one day).
Korzybski also discussed the notion that individuals are part of an environment, and that the individual and the environment are inextricably intertwined. We are continuously affected by what we are, and are not, exposed to, all of which occurs in a historical-cultural-political milieu. Similarly, our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors do not occur in isolation, but represent a “holistic” response to a perceived stimulus.
Similarly, Korzybski influenced Dr. Ellis in his construction of “second-order reactions.” This occurs when thinking about thinking is related to psychological disturbance (i.e., secondary disturbance). An example of this is the case of someone who has panic attacks and subsequently becomes fearful to leave the house because they might have a panic attack (fear of fear). Avoidance of fear can be maintained by operant conditioning and lead to agoraphobia. Human suffering has just increased exponentially.
The practice of REBT is a clinical theory that entails the active disputation of irrational beliefs to help individuals to make a philosophical shift. I remain enthralled by the eloquent manner in which Dr. Ellis gave credit to his predecessors with regards to the development of the theory of REBT. In doing so, Dr. Ellis was someone who told stories. Stories of how theories of human nature are woven together to create an integrated narrative. Stories of individuals who suffered from psychological disturbance and worked towards emancipation from unhealthy thinking that led to their suffering. The scientific study of REBT continues the development of Dr. Ellis’ story and the place of his theory in explaining human nature and mitigating psychological disturbance.
“Yes, you are a chooser, a constructor of how you react psychologically and fortunately, you can chose to refuse to create your upset and to work toward more helpful ways of reacting.” -Albert Ellis, Ph.D.
