PERSONALITY THEORY OF ALBERT ELLIS
2
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background
Albert Ellis, American psychologist (born September 27, 1913, Pittsburgh, Pa. died —
July 24, 2007, New York, NY), developed a psychotherapeutic approach known as rational
emotional behavioral therapy, which aims to help patients overcome irrational beliefs and
unrealistic expectations. In Ellis's approach, patients are taught to eliminate self-destructive
thoughts while focusing on things that are beneficial and accepting themselves. He popularized
his approach in various bestsellers and in weekly seminars he organized at the Albert Ellis
Institute in New York City. Ellis studied at Columbia University, where he earned a Ph.D. in
psychology in 1947. He published his first book, Introduction to the Principles of Scientific
Psychoanalysis, in 1950. He also worked with prominent zoologist and sex researcher Alfred
Kinsey and explored the topic of human sexuality in books such as The American Sexual
Tragedy (1954) and Sex Without Guilt (1958). Although Ellis practiced psychoanalysis for
several years, he rejected many of the ideas of Sigmund Freud, concluding that instead of
painstakingly exploring traumatic childhood experiences in their therapy, patients should be
