Ellis's ABC model

• ABC model:

  Ellis proposed that depression occurs when an activating event (A) triggers an irrational belief (B) which in turn produces a consequence (C), ie an emotional response like depression

  • The key to this process is the irrational belief
• Ellis argued that depression occurs as the final stage in a three point sequence

  • According to the ABC model, depression does not occur as a direct result of unpleasant events but rather is produced by the irrational thoughts triggered by unpleasant events
• ABC model: (A) Activating event

  • We get depressed when we experience negative events and these trigger irrational beliefs
• ABC model: (B) Beliefs (irrational)

  Musturbation - The belief that we must always succeed or achieve perfection
• ABC model: (B) Beliefs (irrational)

  Utopianism - The belief that life is always meant to be fair
• ABC model: (C) Consequences

  • When an activating event triggers irrational beliefs there are emotional and behavioural consequences
  • Eg: If a person believes that they must always succeed and then fails at something, this can trigger depression