Dr. Albert Ellis Essay

Dr. Albert Ellis became known for setting frontiers in the field of psychology. He questioned many age-old beliefs throughout his career and tried to prove each of them with theories. His expertise expounded on human sexuality, psychoanalysis, ad cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. The focus that he gave in sexology and sexuality led to many publications and teachings accountable to him. It is not surprising so that he subscribed to Freudian ideologies. Among his more popular studies was the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy or REBT. REBT focused on the role of the mind in directing emotions. It specified that the mindset of people is what transforms into emotions. In return, these reactions become basis for future feelings and actions. Ellis assumed with his theories that psychology patients will get better faster and the treatments will be easier if they cooperate and have a change of mind as most of what makes negative emotions are wrong assumptions. By stopping oneself from making demands that cannot be easily satisfied and by being realistic, negative emotions and most problems can be resolved. This focus on cognitive behavior expounded many earlier studies on the area which lacked the focus it needed. Thus, Ellis was dubbed as the Most Influential Psychologist by psychologists and counselors in America and Europe. (Dr. Albert Ellis, 2006) In his death he left a legacy of intelligence. This intelligence helped and will continue to help millions of individuals who remain bothered by life issues that are mainly caused by wrong perceptions. Thus, this legacy was not for Ellis’ alone but for all practitioners and patients who will benefit in his work. INTRODUCTION As shown in many biographies and stories made out of the life of Dr. Albert Ellis, it was evident that a powerful influence was left to him by Freudian ideologies. He had many works that referred most especially to the human sexuality. In his lifetime, he was also able to maintain two consecutive marriages which definitely peppered reality into his many works and theories on sexology. (A brief biography of Dr. Albert Ellis, 2005) As Freud would have it he was also into psychoanalysis. He had a different way of studying the human mind—how it functions and how other bodily functions relate to it. Of his many works sexuality and psychoanalysis were the focal point of most and of which he became better known. (A brief biography of Dr. Albert Ellis, 2005) It’s all in the mind We perceive pain only when we already know that an occurrence or action causes pain. We become sad only when we know that something is saddening. These negative thoughts and feelings come from the mind. The mind is very powerful and it can dictate the whole body on how to behave. It can likewise tell the mind how to think and perceive things. Thus, how a person thinks affects how he feels. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy was created by Ellis in 1955. The theory found its way to a treatment method. It became possible with the thought that patients will get better faster if they change their way of thinking. The mind, it says, can cure. (Albert Ellis and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, 2006) For instance, a patient of depression can get out from his bouts by going to the cause of his depression and changing his reaction about it. Besides, depression as Ellis taught happens when the person convinces himself that the state of his person is not what it should be and rather should be another. These irrational idealisms cause worries and frustrations which leads to depression. (REBT by Dr. Albert Ellis, n. d. ) In concurrence, a neurotic, Ellis specifies, can get out of his neuroses by stopping it. Thus, Ellis promotes that the mind dictates what the body’s state will be especially when it comes to emotions. Ellis’ theory stresses that reactions to a certain event, state, or occurrence identifies the overall feeling of a person towards it. (REBT by Dr. Albert Ellis, n. d. ) Therefore, a person can alter his view of it by either changing the way in which he perceives it or convincing him to do so. When a person successfully does this, it will be easier for him to overcome his negative feelings and be more optimistic. Optimism then leads to a better outlook in life. Ellis psychology: Different psychology In its prime, Ellis’ schools of thought differed from the others at that it puts emphasis on different factors that are otherwise overlooked by other theories. Its combination of highlight points allowed these overlooked factors to be studied through this single theory. These factors include emphasis on early childhood, deep philosophical change and scientific thinking. (REBT by Dr. Albert Ellis, n. d. ) While these factors have been studied long before Ellis’ time, it was only through the focus that Ellis gave that the factors were brought together in a homogenous fashion yet for the resolution of a single objective. The objective here is to change the way of the pessimistic mind and create a mindset that will make it easy for a person to accept events that come his way and understand how to deal with them. The theory states that events which happen during the early childhood years drastically affect the state of mind of a person. The more negative these years were, the more pessimistic the person will likely get. Deep philosophical change is another factor. This is the one which changes the mindset of the person. By changing a person’s philosophy in life he can become at peace with his self and the things that happen to him. In changing his life’s philosophy a person may have to deal into scientific thinking as well. Here there will be no vague inexplicable thoughts and idealisms but rather specifics that can be explained and help the person understand himself and his ordeals. These three measures spell the difference between self-defeat and self-winning. The self can only be won by being rational. By these one explains to himself and understands that everything happens (or do not happen) for a reason. To be rational is to be realistic. When one leaves in a too idealistic or fantasy world is to deny oneself of the opportunity to win over situations. Being rational is a pre-requisite to being free, happy, and optimistic. The ABC and the Musts Ellis’ theory also developed the three ABCs which pose as the blueprint of emotions. The three includes the start of things (A), the beliefs of the person about the thing (B), and the reaction of the person about the thing (C). According to the process, every person’s ordeal has a beginning. It may be from the immediate time or from a distant past. It may be from his immediate surrounding or from a past neighborhood or workplace. Whenever or wherever that beginning may be, the fact is that there is a start. (What is REBT? , 2006) From the beginning of a situation a person starts to associate with it his personal beliefs and the beliefs that he form in concurrence to outside factors such as family and friends. These beliefs are developed from many different things, and so it is guaranteed that two persons under the same situation may have differing beliefs toward it. In connection, these beliefs affect the reaction that the person gives into the situation. As an example, a person who wants to get into a certain job position into a company he so much dreams of may feel very positive about applying, taking the application tests, and attending the interviews. He prepares for it and makes sure nothing comes between him and his dream of getting his dream job; and then he fails. He did not get the job. This person will most likely believe that he does not deserve the failure because he prepared so much for everything. This belief will lead to a reaction of anger and resentment. But when following the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, he will put off the grief and focus on future things that he can do—apply in other companies or improve on himself to take on the opportunity of re-application. This is the essence of REBT. The negative feelings that become reactions are often brought about by Musts. These are the assumed expectations of a person that when he fails to achieve can greatly give him negative thoughts and feelings. A person always feel he must do well and win the approval of others, that other people must be fair, kind, and true to him, that he must get what he wants when he want it. This spoiled-brat syndrome often leads to failed expectations. (What is REBT? , 2006) Getting away from thoughts that include these Musts allow one to be realistic. Sources say that these unrealistic demands when given up will solve 80% of a person’s problems. (What is REBT? Introduction, explanation, and application, 2007) This highlights that problems arise from the mindset of a person. A problem becomes so if the person perceives that this thing is really a crisis and so if he will think that it is not a dilemma then it will not pose itself as a predicament. Benefits of rational thinking Being realistic, people say, will save one from the hurts of disillusionment and broken fantasies. The same works with the theories presented by Ellis. Rational thinking bases itself on reality. Thus, it allows a person to be bound with facts. As it helps one overcome tribulations, it promotes a more positive self and mindset. Apart from this, there are other advantages brought about by Ellis’ theory. There is the accomplishment of goals, creation of manageable emotions, and promotion of behavior that allows survival. First, REBT allows one to achieve his goals and purposes. When a person has goals and purposes in life it may be overshadowed by negative feelings and wrong beliefs and reactions. Rational thinking can take these away. Being in touch with reality will keep one collected. Secondly, reality creates emotions that one can handle. Because he perceives things realistically, everything that he may experience will be almost expected. Thus the outpour of emotions will be controllable. Of course, the emotions cannot be stopped. Yet, he will be able ti handle them accordingly and still think clear to be on top of the situation. Lastly, being in touch with reality helps one behave in ways that promote aims and survival. The person who follows Ellis’ school of thought have clear aims in life and the enthusiasm to achieve them They are also survivors. They do not know how to quit because they know that there are other things that they are worth for. (What is REBT? Introduction, explanation, and application, 2007) The impact Dr. Albert Ellis’ works paved the way to modern thoughts in psychology which were specific and focused. It also set a new era for psychological therapy and views on cognitive behavior. Apart from these works on emotive behavioral therapy, Ellis also had studies on sexuality that also influenced that field of study. Freud’s work was on his armament, but he made progress by deriving from the scholar inspiration for fresh studies rather than repetition of old studies. With the works of Dr. Ellis studies on emotive behavior therapy became prominently based on the mindset of the person. Because the theory was very consistent to the results on many studies, many counselors subscribed to the idea and used it to treat their patients. It then became possible to treat patients easily because counselors had a process to follow—tracing the beginnings of the problem, modifying the beliefs of the person, and expectedly the change in his reaction. Dr. Ellis was able to think out of the box. He moved away from the generalities and devised new studies that created new methodologies for psychotherapy. This changed the way in which psychology operated. It made the work easier for doctors and patients alike. These outstanding works gave Dr. Ellis the brand for being the Most Influential Psychologist by American and European practitioners alike. (Dr. Albert Ellis, 2006) Being influential is not nomenclature alone for Dr. Ellis. He embodies the influential psychologist, with published and well-publicized breakthroughs in psychology. These influence that the doctor made helped the field of psychology propel and become what it is now. Definitely, psychology could have not been the same. CONCLUSION Psychology is a never-ending process of learning how the minds of people work. The mindset of people changes through time. It is therefore understandable why psychologists are working endlessly. This has been how Dr. Albert Ellis lived his career. The quest of Dr. Ellis to find the explanations to many of psychoanalysis’ questions wee the inspirations that he had to create studies that gave birth to sexology and emotive behavior therapy, rather old schools of thought that were given new concepts. Best of all, Dr. Ellis made his studies so thoroughly and among well-chosen populations. His works were lauded. His work saved many lives. It is evident that Ellis’ works were greatly influenced by his strong orientation of the works of Sigmund Freud. Known for thoughts and theories on human sexuality and psychoanalysis, Freud was also popular for many studies on the area. In his time, Ellis’ achieved the same level of integrity in psychological studies, albeit not the worldwide fame that Freud has achieved. However, his works were at par with that of the inspiring scholar from which he based many of his beliefs. His seriousness in his theories and studies may also be the one for which his own sexuality can be based, especially that he entered into two consecutive marriages. It will not be surprising to think that these marriages have influenced his concepts on human sexuality which in turn inspired his studies and theories. The good thing, however, is that Ellis’ confidently challenged existing ideologies, which enriched psychology. Through them, psychology has now advanced forward. Though Dr. Ellis, the mind became the cure for its own predicaments. References A brief biography of dr. albert ellis. 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www. rebt. ws/albertellisbiography. html Albert Ellis and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www. rebtnetwork. org/whois. html Dr. Albert Ellis. 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www. rebtnetwork. org/ REBT by Dr. Albert Ellis. n. d. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www. rebt. cc/_wsn/page11. html What is REBT? 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www. rebtnetwork. org/whatis. html What is REBT? Introduction, explanation, and application. 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www. rebt. ws/REBT%20explained. htm