My primary military occupational specialty (MOS) in the United States Marine Corps was military police (MP). My secondary MOS was Marine security guard (MSG), as I was trained in special weapons and tactics (SWAT). Of note, the above photo was taken when I was an MSG.
Part of my MP and MSG training related to knocking doors down with various body parts and through use of SWAT tools when in a tactical stack similar to the one in the photo above. Understandably, the person on the other side of a knocked-down door could experience fear.
From the perspective of the ABC model, used in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I understand that there isn’t an Action-Consequence (A-C) connection that results in fear of this sort. Rather, a Belief-Consequence (B-C) connection better explains one’s unpleasant outcome.
REBT theory maintains that when an unexpected Action occurs and a person uses an irrational Belief about the situation, it’s one’s unhelpful attitude and not the undesirable circumstance that causes unpleasant cognitive, emotive, sensational, and behavioral effects as Consequences.
It’s worth noting that there’s a distinction to be made between an irrational Belief (iB) and a rational Belief (rB). Allow me to illustrate the differences between A-C and B-C connections, as well as iB and rB influence.
When fulfilling SWAT duties, tactical team members can use breaching tools (Action) in order to knock doors down (Consequence). In the naturalistic world, using an A-C perspective, use of a Halligan bar causes a door to forcefully open.
However, knockin’ doors down doesn’t necessarily cause sheer or gripping terror from a B-C perspective. As I’ve received quite a bit of challenge to this notion throughout the years, I’ll differentiate between healthy and unhealthy negative consequences through use of two scenarios.
Scenario 1: A SWAT team knocks down your door (Action) and you immediately Believe, “My life’s in danger and I shouldn’t die!” Should, must, and ought-type beliefs of this nature relate to demandingness. Such demands arguably represent both iB and rB narratives.
Bear in mind that in order for a belief to be considered rational it empirically must remain in accord with both logic and reason. Is it rational to prefer life to death? Let’s evaluate this matter through use of a syllogism:
Form (modus ponens) –
If p, then q; p; therefore, q.
Example –
If you prefer to live, then you’ll fear death.
You prefer to live.
Therefore, you’ll fear death.
This syllogistic proposal follows logical form and I argue that it’s reasonable for an individual to prefer to live. Therefore, I maintain that an rB narrative suggests, “My life’s in danger and I preferentially shouldn’t die!” In fact, I suspect this is the default rB of fallible human beings.
Given this understanding, the rB used in scenario one causes fear (Consequence). I imagine you’ve experienced this sort of B-C connection at some point in your life, whether on a roller coaster, in a vehicle, when slipping on ice or in the shower, or otherwise.
Alternatively, use of an absolutistic or conditional iB is different than using a preferential or recommendatory rB. The former beliefs are self-disturbing forms of iB while the latter relate to non-disturbing examples of rB. Using a second scenario, I’ll demonstrate the difference.
Scenario 2: A SWAT team knocks down your door (Action) and you unproductively Believe, “My life’s in danger and I shouldn’t die, because I couldn’t stand how awful that would be!” Here, a rigid absolutistic iB is paired with low frustration tolerance and awfulizing.
The iB used in this scenario causes gripping terror (Consequence). Fear is a healthy negative emotion, though sheer terror with a painful rapid heartbeat, sensation of pins and needles throughout the body, or inability to move is arguably an unhealthy negative experience.
In the proverbial psychological world, B-C consequences of this sort aren’t caused by A-C events. Thus, this is my response to the challenge that I’ve received in regard to healthy innate fear versus unhealthy self-disturbed reactions.
Rather than experiencing self-upset, an individual is invited to try Disputation which may lead to an Effective new belief that’s used in place of an unproductive self-narrative. With the ABC model, a person learns to stop needless suffering which is caused by unhelpful assumptions.
When considering the topic for this blogpost, I’m reminded of the 2006 album Pimpalation by the late rapper Pimp C or UGK. In particular, I think of the song “Knockin’ Doorz Down,” produced by Myke Diesel and featuring P.O.P. and Lil’ Keke. According to one source:
This anthem is a musical salute to overcoming obstacles and breaking boundaries in the pursuit of success, aimed at encouraging unity among rival factions within the rap game.
The recurring line, “Knockin’, knockin’ doors down, showin’ parts of rhyme,” serves as a metaphor for Pimp C’s determination to break new grounds in music and life, reiterating his commitment to his craft.
Pimp C’s song represents an rB perspective regarding self-help and success which can be attained by using this approach to well-being (i.e., financial, psychological, physical, etc.). When the track was released, it prompted critical thinking about self-imposed boundaries in hip hop.
Rather than SWAT teams knockin’ doorz down, the track addresses knockin’ down doorz of one’s own imposition (i.e., barriers). From an REBT perspective, the track serves as a call to action for use of the ABC model, an active-directive approach to targeting self-disturbing iBs.
Personally, REBT is practiced daily in order to remain competent with the techniques of this helpful psychotherapeutic modality. This is the similar approach to firearms manipulation when I was an MP and MSG. The more I trained, the more proficient I was when engaging targets.
Now, I try to help others with targeting iBs. Given the psychoeducation lesson outlined herein, are you prepared to know more about knockin’ doorz down (proverbially speaking, of course)? If you’d like to know more about targeting self-imposed barriers, I look forward to hearing from you.
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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