The ABCDEF Model - Addressing Dysfunctional Beliefs
By Robbyn Wallace (2006, edited 2023)
The ABCDEF Model, developed by Albert Ellis, is a six-step plan structured to identify, assess, dispute and modify beliefs.
Identification and description of the activating event is the first step, A, in the model.
This is the experience that first initiates negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. An example experience is someone stating “my professor took off a point on my paper.”
The second step, B, is someone’s perception or belief, be it negative, positive, or neutral, to the experience or activating event.
A further example, including the second step, is “my professor should acknowledge my talent and is a mean person for not giving me more credit. It’s a shame I worked so hard on it, just for him to grade me so harshly.”
Even though a person may not have control over an event or experience, they do have a choice in how they perceive the event or experience, be it rational or irrational.
The next step is C, which stands for consequences of the belief. The belief can determine the consequence.
Irrational beliefs can lead to self-destructive or inappropriate emotions such as rage, anxiety, or depression. They can also lead to self-destructive or inappropriate behaviors such as excessive use of alcohol or drugs, blaming of self and others, or withdrawal.
On the other hand, rational beliefs can lead to more appropriate emotions, such as disappointment or annoyance, and appropriate behaviors, such as attempting to change the situation or distracting their self in productive ways.
D, dispute, is the next step in the model, which can also be referred to as debate. To determine whether the belief is rational or irrational it is necessary to explore both the belief and the consequence.
There are four questions that can be used to determine if the belief is irrational.
By using logic: “Where is the logic that this should not have happened to me?”
Next is empirical evidence: “Where is the evidence that this should not have happened to me?”
The third is pragmatic or functional: “How will holding this belief help me achieve my goals?”
Finally, there is constructing an alternative rational belief: “What is an alternative belief that would better help me achieve my goals?”
The belief in the example discussed earlier is disputed in this step by the above questions.
Describing the desired outcome of the debate is the fifth step, E, which stands for effective.
By disputing the beliefs in the example a more rational belief was formed such as: “Although I am disappointed that I received a “B” on my paper, it won’t kill me. I will try harder on my next paper and hopefully get an “A.”
The final step, F, represents the new feelings and behaviors resulting from the effective rational beliefs.
Expanding on the previous examples the following emotions and behaviors were reported: “I am still feeling disappointed with my grade, but it no longer makes me angry and resentful. I am confident that my next paper will receive an “A.” I will meet with my professor and verify the standards and format for an “A” paper.”
This process is much more complicated than it may appear. It is a complex process and a challenge to change an irrational belief to a rational one. It is requires effort and practice.
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