Effect of Rational and Irrational Statements and Demand Characteristics on Task Anxiety

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Abstract
Ellis's rational-emotive hypothesis that rational statements decrease and irrational statements increase anxiety was tested using a problem-solving task and two counter-demand conditions to determine the demand characteristics of the experimental manipulation on anxiety. Undergraduates (6 men, 6 women) were randomly assigned to one of five treatments. The experimental manipulation of irrational beliefs appeared successful for the rational and rational counter-demand conditions. Demand characteristics did not seem to affect task anxiety for the rational statements, but the results were less clear for the irrational statements. Task anxiety was lower in the rational and rational counter-demand conditions than in the irrational and neutral conditions, supporting the hypothesis that rational statements reduce anxiety. The less conclusive results for the irrational statements may have been due to the apparent failure to manipulate irrational beliefs effectively. Increased anxiety led to increased irrational beliefs, suggesting that the relationship between irrational beliefs and anxiety may be reciprocal.

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