Chapter 11, Problem 2MC

Summary Introduction

Introduction

Psychologist Albert Ellis noted that our irrational beliefs about distressing events can serve as stressors, rather than the events themselves. For instance, while it may seem perfectly logical that failure is an understandable reason for feeling distressed, one's beliefs about the failure could worsen their distress.

Explanation of Solution

Correct answer and explanation

The best answer is (D), in which, according to Albert Ellis, being stressed about failing a test is called an activation event. Ellis once noted that our irrational beliefs about situations typically serve as stressors, rather than just the events themselves. Ellis's ABC approach consists of the activating event, our beliefs, and the consequences. For example, if we fail a test, this would serve as the activating event (A); the views worsening our feelings of distress, triggering feelings of vulnerability, and distracting us from addressing the event would be our beliefs (B); and our distress would then act as the consequence (C).

Explanation for incorrect statements

Option (A) refers to stimulus event. However, a stimulus event actually describes a stimulus and associated parameters outlining one particular presentation of that stimulus. So, option (a) is incorrect.

Option (B) refers to causal event. However, while there is some degree of causality involved in this perspective, causal event is not the term used to begin Ellis's approach. So, option (b) is incorrect.

Option (C) refers to initiating event. However, an initiating event is a literary term used to describe the first stimuli in a novel that prompts the conflict in the plot of a storyline. So, option (c) is incorrect.

Therefore, the options (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect.