Description
Book SynopsisAlbert Ellis was writing about personal happiness long before the formal discipline of positive psychology was founded. This book describes his work in helping people to eliminate misery and obtain happiness.
Trade Review“The book is a good detailed overview of REBT methods. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, professionals, general readers.” (Choice, 1 July 2012)
"The principles themselves are taken from chapter 4 of Rationality and the Pursuit of Happiness: The Legacy of Albert Ellis, Michael E. Bernard's excellent summation of the great psychologist's life-work." (Jildy Sauce, 6 January 2012)
"This book provides a useful summary of what Ellis had to say on happiness." (Metapsychology, 15 November 2011)
Table of ContentsAbout the Author xiii
Preface xv
1 Albert Ellis and the Pursuit of Happiness 1
The Early Life and Times of Albert Ellis 3
Albert Ellis’ (Generally) Pleasurable and Happy Personal Life 4
Albert Ellis’ Professional Life was Self-actualized 6
Ellis Speaks Common Sense 8
The Dual Nature of the Human Psyche 9
Nature–Nurture 10
The Purpose and Goals of Life 11
Happiness 12
Self-actualization 14
Ellis Abandons Self-esteem 16
Finding Happiness: No Apologies Needed 17
2 Why We Get Unhappy 19
What is Unhappiness? 19
Thinking Makes It So 21
Irrational Thinking 22
Irrational Beliefs that Create Unhappiness 25
The Strength of Irrational Convictions 30
People Upset Themselves About Being Upset 35
3 Refusing to Become Desperately Unhappy 41
The Development of REBT 41
The ABCs of REBT 44
Disputing Methods and New Rational Effects 52
The Elegant Solution 63
Fun and Humor 64
4 The Philosophy of Happiness: Principles of Rational Living 67
Rational Principle 1: Self-interest 68
Rational Principle 2: Social Interest 70
Rational Principle 3: Self-direction 70
Rational Principle 4: Self-acceptance 71
Rational Principle 5: Tolerance of Others 73
Rational Principle 6: Short-term and Long-term Hedonism 74
Rational Principle 7: Commitment to Creative, Absorbing Activities and Pursuits 75
Rational Principle 8: Responsible Risk-taking and Experimenting 78
Rational Principle 9: High Frustration Tolerance and Willpower 79
Rational Principle 10: Problem Solving 81
Rational Principle 11: Scientific Thinking and Flexibility 83
The Rational Mindset of a Happy and Fulfilled Person 84
5 Love 87
Love Slobbism 88
Romantic Love 92
Jealousy and Possessiveness 98
Keeping Love Alive 103
6 Relationships 105
Encountering Suitable Partners 105
Mating 111
Separating 121
7 Sex 127
The Right to Sexual Enjoyment 129
Ellis on Sexual Morality 130
A Rational Approach to Sex Problems 141
8 Women 155
Depression 157
Weight 162
Dating and Mating 162
Work 166
Programs for Women 172
9 Homosexuality 173
Irrationality and Homosexuality 173
REBT Counseling 176
Aids 183
10 Work 187
Emotional Problems about Practical Problems at Work 188
Enhancing Decisiveness 191
Poor Self-Esteem in the Workplace 196
Perfectionism 201
Procrastination 209
11 Children and Parents 217
Parenting Styles and Discipline 218
Overcoming the Emotional Stresses of Parenting 220
How Parents Can Help Solve Problems of Their Children 226
Relating to Your Parents 229
12 Death and Dying 241
A Humanistic Conception of Death 242
Rational Living with Dying 243
13 Rational Living in an Irrational World 251
14 Albert Ellis Interviewed by Michael E. Bernard 263
On a Philosophy of Life as Therapy 264
On Religion 265
On Spirituality 266
On Politics 268
On the Mental Health of People in the Twenty-first Century 269
On the Future of the Human Race 270
On the Future of REBT 270
On Rational Beliefs and the Degree of Self-acceptance 271
On the Need to Strengthen Rational Beliefs 272
On Self-downing 276
On Self-Actualizing 276
On Homosexuality 277
On Marriage 279
On Sex 280
On the Use of REBT in Diverse Cultures 281
On the Use of REBT with Men and Women 281
On Dispelling Myths about REBT 283
On the Professional Acceptance of REBT 284
On His Work Ethic 285
On His Morning Mindset 287
On Dealing with Physical Ailments 287
On Satisfying Moments Over the Years 287
On His Recent Pleasurable Moments 288
On His Regrets 289
If He Had to Do It All Over Again? 289
A Rational Approach to Happiness 291
Article by Michael E. Bernard
References and Acknowledgment of Copyright 299
Index 301
