PROBLEM Ellis(i) proposes that adherence to certain irrational ideas, and the corollaries to which they normally lead, are the primary causes of emotional disturbances via the process of internal rejndoctrination or autosuggestion. Meehl ( 3 ) investigated psychologists' opinions as to the effects of believing five of Ellis' irrational beliefs and found a significantly high consensual endorsement of irrational ideas 1, 2 and 4 in contrast t o almost no consensus with regard to irrational ideas 3 and 5. A recent e~tension'~) of Meehl's study found that approximately 400 nonmedical psychotherapists endorsed with at least 85% frequency irrational ideas 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 11 as potential antecedents of emotional problems. This investigation attempted to evaluate further whether adherence to Ellis' irrational ideas could precipitate emotional stress by the use of both normal and psychopathological Ss.

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