In REBT, emotions are largely influenced by which factor?

• A. External events
• B. Automatic thoughts
• C. Biology
• D. Behavior

Answer: (B)

In REBT, emotions are driven by how we interpret events, not by the events themselves. The activating situation is neutral, but the emotional response arises from the automatic thoughts and beliefs we generate about it. Those instantaneous cognitions—our self-statements, judgments, and demands—shape how upset or energized we feel. For example, missing a quiz can trigger thoughts like “I’m a failure” or more flexible thoughts like “I didn’t prepare enough this time, I can study and improve.” The first set of thoughts leads to distress, while the second promotes motivation and action. So, automatic thoughts are the key factor influencing our emotions in REBT; external events, biology, or behavior alone do not determine the emotional experience in the same way.