IRRATIONAL BELIEF TEST (IBT)

Abstract

The Irrational Belief Test (IBT) is a psychometric instrument developed by Richard Garner Jones in 1968, designed to measure an individual’s adherence to the core irrational beliefs postulated by Albert Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). The scale aims to quantify the degree of philosophical and psychological commitment to these self-defeating assumptions, which Ellis theorized are the root cause of much human emotional distress and maladjustment. Jones’s original research focused specifically on establishing the underlying factor structure of these beliefs and correlating them with established measures of personality and psychological dysfunction.

The IBT represented an early and significant effort in the field of Psychometrics to operationalize the abstract concepts of REBT, providing a standardized tool for both clinical assessment and research into cognitive-behavioral theory.

Keywords

Irrational Beliefs, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Albert Ellis, Psychological Maladjustment, Cognitive Assessment, Personality Correlates, Richard Garner Jones, Psychometrics.

Authors

Richard Garner Jones

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the Irrational Belief Test (IBT) is to systematically assess the extent to which an individual endorses the ten core categories of irrational beliefs identified by Albert Ellis. By quantifying these deeply held philosophical assumptions, the IBT serves as a diagnostic aid to identify cognitive patterns that predispose individuals to emotional and behavioral disturbances, such as anxiety, depression, and anger.

Beyond clinical application, the scale was developed for research purposes, specifically to validate the theoretical link between irrational thinking and various forms of maladjustment. It provides a structured method for researchers to investigate how different irrational factors correlate with established personality traits and psychological outcomes.

Construct

The IBT measures the construct of Irrational Beliefs, which, within Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), are defined as rigid, dogmatic, and unrealistic demands or “musts” that individuals place upon themselves, others, and the world. Jones’s scale attempts to factor-analyze these beliefs, which typically fall into several key categories derived from Ellis’s work. These categories include the necessity of approval from others, the catastrophic nature of failure, the demand for fairness and justice, the idea that emotional misery is externally caused, and the belief that past history determines present behavior.

The IBT’s 100 items are structured to tap into ten hypothesized factors corresponding to Ellis’s core irrational tenets. High scores indicate a strong adherence to these self-defeating beliefs, suggesting a greater vulnerability to emotional distress and psychological symptoms. Conversely, low scores reflect rational, flexible, and pragmatic thinking patterns.

Validity

The validity of the IBT, as established in Jones’s original thesis, was primarily focused on construct validity, aiming to ensure the instrument accurately measured the theoretical dimensions of Ellis’s system. Jones utilized Factor analysis to demonstrate that the items grouped coherently into meaningful, separable dimensions of irrationality, providing evidence that the scale was tapping into distinct cognitive constructs rather than a single general factor.

Further evidence of validity was sought through correlation studies with external criteria. The scale demonstrated concurrent validity by showing significant correlations between high IBT scores and measures of anxiety, neuroticism, and general psychological distress or maladjustment, confirming the theoretical link posited by REBT between irrational thinking and poor psychological health.

Reliability

While specific reliability coefficients (such as Cronbach’s Alpha) are not present in the brief source description, reliability is essential for any Psychometrics tool. Jones’s development of the IBT involved procedures designed to maximize internal consistency and test-retest reliability, critical components for a scale intended to measure stable cognitive traits. Subsequent research using the IBT and its later revisions generally reports acceptable to good internal consistency for the overall scale and its primary subscales, indicating that the items measuring the same belief factor tend to yield consistent results.

Factor Analysis

The core contribution of Jones’s IBT was the application of factor analysis to Ellis’s previously undifferentiated list of irrational beliefs. Jones sought to demonstrate that these beliefs were not monolithic but could be broken down into distinct, empirically verifiable factors. The original analysis resulted in the identification of several primary factors, which generally aligned with the ten theoretical irrational beliefs proposed by Albert Ellis, such as the Need for Approval, High Self-Expectations, and Problem Avoidance.

This factor structure provided empirical support for the theoretical underpinning of REBT, suggesting that therapeutic intervention could target specific clusters of irrational thoughts rather than treating irrationality as a single, general construct. The factors identified were used to create subscales for more nuanced measurement of individual cognitive profiles.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-Report Questionnaire (Psychometric Scale)

Format: 100 items, typically using a Likert-type response format (e.g., ranging from 1, strongly disagree, to 5, strongly agree).

Language Available: Primarily English (Original development).

Population Group: General population, clinical samples, and college students.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (typically 16+).

Population Details: Jones’s initial factor analysis was conducted using student populations, common for early psychometrics development.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate their level of agreement with 100 declarative statements that reflect rational or irrational attitudes about life, self, and others.

Keywords

IBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Personality, Neuroticism, Psychological Testing, Assessment, Self-Defeating Beliefs, Rationality, Emotional Distress.

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Information not provided in source or readily available)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Information not provided in source)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Information not provided in source)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Irrational Belief Test (IBT) was developed by Richard Garner Jones as part of his doctoral dissertation titled “A factore measur of Ellis’ irrational belief system, with personality and maladjustment correlates.” The primary research and development year is 1968.

As the scale originated from academic research, specific commercial licensing fees and permissions may vary depending on the intended use and subsequent adaptations (such as the commonly used shortened versions). Researchers often seek permission directly from the author or institution. The original dissertation outlining the development and factor structure is available online.

The full text of the dissertation is linked here: http://repositories.tdl.org/ttu-ir/handle/2346/18941?show=full

The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://repositories.tdl.org/ttu-ir/bitstream/handle/2346/18941/31295005090260.pdf?sequence=1

Reference’s

• Jones, R. G. (1968). A factor measure of Ellis’ irrational belief system, with personality and maladjustment correlates. (Doctoral dissertation, Texas Tech University).

• Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. Lyle Stuart.

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Items of the IRRATIONAL BELIEF TEST (IBT)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. It is important to me that others approve of me.

2. I hate to fail at anything.

3. People who do wrong deserve what they get.

4. I usually accept what happens philosophically.

5. If a person wants to‚ he can be happy under almost any circumstances.

6. I have a fear of some things that often bothers me.

7. I usually put off important decisions.

8. Everyone needs someone he can depend on for help and advice.

9. “A zebra cannot change his stripes”.

10. There is a right way to do everything.

11. I like the respect of others‚ but I don’t have to have it.

12. I avoid things I cannot do well.

13. Too many evil persons escape the punishment they deserve.

14. Frustrations don’t upset me.

15. People are disturbed not by situations but by the view they take of them.

16. I feel little anxiety over unexpected dangers or future events.

17. I try to go ahead and get irksome tasks behind me when they come up.

18. I try to consult an authority on important decisions.

19. It is almost impossible to overcome the influences of the past.

20. There is no perfect solution to anything.

21. I want everyone to like me.

22. I don’t mind competing in activities where others are better than I.

23. Those who do wrong deserve to be blamed.

24. Things should be different from the way they are.

25. I cause my own moods.

26. I often can’t get my mind off some concern.

27. I avoid facing my problems.

28. People need a source of strength outside themselves.

29. Jus: because something once strongly affects your life doesn’t mean it need do so in the future.

30. There is seldom an easy way out of life’s difficulties.

31. I can like myself even when many others don’t.

32. I like to succeed at something but I don’t feel I have to.

33. Immorality should be strongly punished.

34. I often get disturbed over situations I don’t like.

35. People who are miserable have usually made themselves that way.

36. If I can’t keep something from happening‚ I don’t worry about it.

37. I usually make decisions promptly as I can.

38. There are certain people that 1 depend on greatly’.

39. People overvalue the influence of the past.

40. Some problems will always be with us.

41. If others dislike me‚ that’s their problem‚ not mine.

42. It is highly important to me to be successful in everything I do.

43. I seldom blame people for their wrong doings.

44. I usually accept things the way they are‚ even if I don’t like them.

45. A person won’t stay angry or blue long unless he keeps himself that way.

46. I can’t stand to take chances.

47. Life is too short to spend it doing unpleasant tasks.

48. I like to stand on my own two feet.

49. If I had had different experiences I could be more like I want to be.

50. Every problem has a correct solution.

51. I find it hard to go against what others think.

52. I enjoy activities for their own sake‚ no matter how good I am at them.

53. The fear of punishment helps people be good.

54. If things annoy me‚ I just ignore them.

55. The more problems a person has‚ the less happy he will be.

56. I am seldom anxious over the future.

57. I seldom put things off.

58. I am the only one who can really understand and face my problems.

59. I seldom think of past experiences as affecting me now.

60. We live in a world of chance and probability.

61. Although I like approval‚ it’s not a real need for me.

62. It bothers me when others are better than I am at something.

63. Everyone is basically good.

64. I do what I can to get what I want and then don’t worry about it.

65. Nothing is upsetting in itself — only in the way you interpret it.

66. I worry a lot about certain things in the future.

67. It is difficult for me to do unpleasant chores.

68. I dislike for others to make my decisions for me.

69. We are slaves to our personal histories.

70. There is seldom an ideal solution to anything.

71. I often worry about how much people approve of and accept me.

72. It upsets me to make mistakes.

73. It’s unfair that “the rain falls on both the just and the unjust”.

74. I am fairly easygoing about life.

75. More people should face up to the unpleasantness of life.

76. Sometimes I can’t get a fear off my mind.

77. A life of ease is seldom very rewarding.

78. I find it easy to seek advice.

79. Once something strongly affects your life‚ it always will.

80. It is better to look for a practical solution than a perfect one.

81. I have considerable concern with what people are feeling about me.

82. I often become quite annoyed over little things.

83. I usually give someone who has wronged me a second chance.

84. I dislike responsibility.

85. There is never any season to remain sorrowful for every long.

86. I hardly ever think of such things as death or atomic war.

87. People are happiest when they have challenges and problems to overcome.

88. I dislike ha‎ving to depend on others.

89. People never change basically.

90. I feel I must handle things in the right way.

91. It is annoying but not upsetting to be criticized.

92. I’m not afraid to do things which I cannot do well.

93. No one is evil‚ even though his deeds may be.

94. I seldom become upset over the mistake of others.

95. Man makes his own hell within himself.

96. I often find myself planning what I would do different dangerous situation.

97. If something is necessary‚ I do it even if it is unpleasant.

98. I’ve learned not to expect someone else to be very concerned.

99. I don’t look upon the past with any regrets.

100. There is no such things as an ideal set of circumstances.