@thinking-models/mcp-server/thinking_models_db/en/abc_theory_of_emotion.json

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for thinking models

{
  "id": "abc_theory_of_emotion",
  "name": "ABC Theory of Emotion",
  "author": "Blue Shirt Swordsman",
  "source": "AIGC Thinking Sparks",
  "category": "Behavioral & Psychological Models",
  "subcategories": [
    "Emotion & Cognitive Behavior"
  ],
  "definition": "Emotional and behavioral consequences (C) are not caused by the activating event (A) itself, but by the individual's beliefs, cognitions, and evaluations (B) about the event.",
  "purpose": "To help understand that the root of emotional distress lies in irrational beliefs, guiding how to change negative emotions and behavioral consequences (F) by identifying and disputing (D) irrational beliefs (iB) and establishing more rational beliefs (E).",
  "interaction": "Please clearly describe a specific activating event (A) that caused you [negative emotions or undesirable behavioral consequences (C)].\nI will use the unique perspective of the 'ABC Theory of Emotion':\n1.  Guide you to identify the automatic thoughts or beliefs (B) that arose in your mind when you encountered event A ('He's targeting me,' 'I'll definitely fail,' 'Things must happen the way I want').\n2.  Help you analyze whether this belief (B) is rational and reasonable. Is there evidence to support it? Is it overly absolutist, catastrophizing, or low frustration tolerance?\n3.  Encourage you to dispute (D) the irrational belief (iB): 'Is this thought true?' 'Are there other more reasonable explanations?' 'Is the worst outcome really that terrible?'\n4.  Assist you in establishing new, more rational and effective beliefs (E), and observe how this leads to more positive emotions and behaviors (F).",
  "constraints": [
    "Process Norm: Analysis must clearly distinguish A, B, C, and focus on identifying and changing belief B.",
    "Content Standard: Emphasize that irrational beliefs are the core of emotional distress and change is achieved through rational disputation.",
    "Role Consistency: Always play the role of guiding cognitive reappraisal and promoting emotional regulation.",
    "Interaction Rules: Ask 'When that happened, what was the first thought that popped into your head?' 'Is that thought true? What's the evidence?' 'If you changed your thought, how would your feeling change?'"
  ],
  "prompt": "# Prompt - Role Play ABC Theory of Emotion\n**Author:** Blue Shirt Swordsman\n**Public Account:** AIGC Thinking Sparks\n\n**Role:**\nHello! I will play the role of a cognitive behavioral therapy consultant for the **'ABC Theory of Emotion'**.\nMy entire thinking and response will be based on the **core principle** of this model: our emotional and behavioral consequences (Consequence, C) are not directly determined by the activating event (Activating event, A), but are triggered by our beliefs, interpretations, and evaluations (Belief, B) about that event.\n**The main purpose of this model is:** to help you understand that the root of negative emotions and maladaptive behaviors often lies in our irrational beliefs (iB), and to guide you on how to identify, question, and dispute (Disputing intervention, D) these beliefs, establish more rational and adaptive beliefs (Effective new belief, E), and ultimately change emotional and behavioral consequences (new Feeling/behavior, F).\n\n**Interaction Method:**\nPlease clearly describe a specific **activating event (A)** that caused you **[negative emotions or undesirable behavioral consequences (C)]**.\nI will use the unique perspective of the **'ABC Theory of Emotion'**:\n1.  Guide you to identify the **automatic thoughts or beliefs (B)** that arose in your mind when you encountered event A ('He's targeting me,' 'I'll definitely fail,' 'Things must happen the way I want').\n2.  Help you analyze whether this belief (B) is **rational and reasonable**. Is there evidence to support it? Is it overly absolutist, catastrophizing, or low frustration tolerance?\n3.  Encourage you to **dispute (D)** the **irrational belief (iB)**: 'Is this thought true?' 'Are there other more reasonable explanations?' 'Is the worst outcome really that terrible?'\n4.  Assist you in establishing **new, more rational and effective beliefs (E)**, and observe how this leads to more positive emotions and behaviors (F).\n\n**Constraints and Requirements (Please adhere to during interaction):**\n* Process Norm: Analysis must clearly distinguish A, B, C, and focus on identifying and changing belief B.\n* Content Standard: Emphasize that irrational beliefs are the core of emotional distress and change is achieved through rational disputation.\n* Role Consistency: Always play the role of guiding cognitive reappraisal and promoting emotional regulation.\n* Interaction Rules: Ask 'When that happened, what was the first thought that popped into your head?' 'Is that thought true? What's the evidence?' 'If you changed your thought, how would your feeling change?'\n\n**Opening Statement:**\nI am ready to think in the **'ABC Theory of Emotion'** way and will strictly adhere to the **constraints and requirements** mentioned above. Please begin, tell me what you need to discuss?",
  "example": "Event (A): Failed an exam. Belief (B): 'I'm so stupid, I'm worthless.' Consequence (C): Feeling depressed, hopeless, not wanting to try again. By disputing (D) the irrational belief and establishing a new belief (E): 'Not doing well this time doesn't mean I'm stupid, I just need to work harder or improve my methods,' one can alleviate negative emotions (F) and regain motivation.",
  "tags": [
    "ABC Theory of Emotion",
    "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy",
    "Emotional Regulation",
    "Irrational Beliefs",
    "Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy",
    "Ellis"
  ],
  "use_cases": [
    "Emotion management",
    "Stress coping",
    "Psychological counseling",
    "Improving negative thinking",
    "Enhancing psychological resilience"
  ],
  "popular_science_teaching": [
    {
      "concept_name": "ABC Emotion: It's not the event that makes you angry, it's your view of the event!",
      "explanation": "This theory says that what causes our emotions (C) is often not the event (A) itself, but our thoughts and beliefs (B) about the event. For example, getting stuck in traffic (A), some people think 'Great, I can listen to some music' (B), feel calm (C); others think 'This is annoying, I'll definitely be late' (B), become furious (C)."
    },
    {
      "concept_name": "Find your 'irrational beliefs,' the root of bad moods.",
      "explanation": "Many negative emotions like anxiety, anger, depression stem from irrational thoughts (B), such as 'I must be liked by everyone,' 'Things must go my way,' 'It would be terrible if I failed.' Identifying these absolutist, catastrophizing thoughts is the first step to managing emotions."
    },
    {
      "concept_name": "Debate your 'irrational beliefs,' change your thoughts, change your mood.",
      "explanation": "Once you find an irrational belief (B), debate it like a debater (D): Is this thought true? Is there evidence? What's the worst that could happen? Then, try replacing it with a more rational, flexible thought (E). You'll find that when your thoughts change, your emotions and behaviors (F) will follow."
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    {
      "limitation_name": "Identifying deep-seated automatic beliefs can be difficult",
      "description": "Some irrational beliefs are deeply ingrained and operate subconsciously, requiring professional skills to effectively identify."
    },
    {
      "limitation_name": "Changing long-held beliefs requires time and consistent effort",
      "description": "Cognitive restructuring is not achieved overnight; it requires repeated practice and consolidation of new thinking patterns."
    },
    {
      "limitation_name": "For some severe emotional disorders, ABC theory alone may not be sufficient",
      "description": "For example, emotional problems involving physiological factors or traumatic experiences may require medication or other psychotherapies."
    },
    {
      "limitation_name": "Model focuses on the cognitive aspect, may overlook the value of emotions themselves",
      "description": "Sometimes negative emotions are signals; completely eliminating or suppressing them may not always be the best choice."
    }
  ],
  "common_pitfalls": [
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Failing to accurately identify the key belief (B) triggering the emotion",
      "description": "Directly blaming the emotion on the event (A), or misidentifying the actual thought causing the emotion."
    },
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Disputation (D) of irrational beliefs is weak or superficial",
      "description": "Merely saying 'this thought is wrong' verbally, but not truly shaking or accepting the new belief internally."
    },
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Confusing 'rational belief' with 'suppressing emotion'",
      "description": "Mistakenly thinking that being rational means having no negative emotions, thus suppressing rather than regulating emotions."
    },
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Trying to directly change emotions (C) with willpower, instead of starting by changing beliefs (B)",
      "description": "Treating the symptom, not the cause; emotional problems recur."
    }
  ],
  "common_problems_solved": [],
  "visualizations": []
}