Keynote: Knowing your ABCs in Coaching: Developing a measure of A-C and B-C thinking
Dr Martin J. Turner
Abstract
Fundamental to rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) and coaching (REBC) is the notion that thoughts and beliefs (cognition) mediates between adverse events and emotion reactivity. This notion is captured by Ancient Stoic philosopher Epictetus who said that “If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation.” In this talk, Dr. Martin Turner discusses the notion of cognitive mediation, and cognitive change, from a scientific and coaching perspective. Dr. Turner also shares the development of a psychometric that assesses individuals beliefs that a) emotions occur as a result of external events alone (A-C), and b) that emotions occur as a result of how we think about external events (B-C). Recent data are discussed pertaining to the cognitive-mediation beliefs questionnaire (CMBQ; Turner et al., 2021), which indicates the practice implications of assessing A-C and B-C beliefs via the CMBQ. Discussion is centred around links between the CMBQ, its tenets, and emotion regulation theory and research.
Dr. Martin J. Turner is a Reader in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is a BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, and an Associate Fellow of the BPS. He is most known for his award-winning work applying rational emotive behaviour theory (REBT) within achievement settings. Martin was the recipient of the 2019 Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) outstanding achievement award for research.