What does Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy primarily focus on?

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) primarily focuses on the idea that human emotions and behaviors are significantly influenced by our beliefs about events rather than the events themselves. The central premise of REBT is that irrational beliefs can lead to negative emotional responses and maladaptive behaviors. By identifying and challenging these irrational beliefs, individuals can work towards changing their thoughts to more rational and constructive ones.

This therapeutic approach emphasizes that changing the way we think about situations can lead to better emotional and behavioral outcomes. For instance, if someone harbors the irrational belief that they must be perfect, they may experience anxiety and depression when they fail to meet this unrealistic standard. REBT encourages the individual to recognize this irrational belief and substitute it with more rational thoughts, fostering healthier emotional responses.

In contrast, the other choices do not align with the fundamental goals of REBT. Identifying irrational number systems is unrelated to therapy; conducting long-term analysis of behavior is not the primary focus, as REBT is more concerned with immediate cognitive changes; and repressing negative emotions contradicts the therapy's aim of addressing and rationalizing emotions rather than suppressing them.