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Irrational Beliefs and Unconditional Self-Acceptance. III. The Relative Importance of Different Types of Irrational Belief

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Abstract

In two studies, one correlational (N = 158) and one experimental (N = 128), using college students, it was found that Need for Achievement, Need for Approval and Self-Downing were the most important irrational beliefs of the General Attitude and Belief Scale predicting unconditional self-acceptance. The Need for Comfort, Demand for Fairness and Other-Downing subscales were found to be less influential. The findings were discussed in terms of Ellis’ theoretical formulation of four higher-order types of irrational belief processes (demandingness, awfulizing, low-frustration tolerance and self-downing), empirical research on different irrational belief themes, the distinction between ego disturbance and discomfort disturbance in REBT and the distinction between sociotropy and autonomy in different forms of depression.

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Correspondence to Martin F. Davies.

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Davies, M.F. Irrational Beliefs and Unconditional Self-Acceptance. III. The Relative Importance of Different Types of Irrational Belief. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 26, 102–118 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-007-0061-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-007-0061-6

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