Evaluation

• Real World Application

  Application in the psychological treatments of depression

  Rational emotive behavioural therapy ( REBT ) is the idea that by vigorously arguing with a depressed person the therapist can alter the irrational beliefs

  Some evidence to support the idea that REBT can both change negative beliefs and relieve symptoms of depressions as concluded by David in 2018

  REBT has real world value
• Reactive and Endogenous depression

  ABC Model only explains reactive depression

  No doubt that depression is sometimes caused by activating events - reactive depression

  Our response to such seems to be at least partly the result of our beliefs

  However , many cases of depression aren't traceable to life events and it is not obvious what leads the person to become depressed at a particular time - endogenous depression

  Ellis' model does not explain this and so is only a partial explanation
• Ethical Issues

  Controversial as it locates responsibility for depression purely with the depressed person

  Critics say this is effectively blaming the depressed person which would be unfair

  However , provided it is appropriately and sensitively used , the application of the ABC Model in REBT does appear to make at least some depressed people achieve more resilience and feel better