Although activating events often seem to directly cause or contribute to emotional consequences, Ellis argues that people largely bring their beliefs to situations, and subjectively interpret or perceive events in light of their beliefs and expectations.

• 虽然引发事件很多时彷佛是导致情绪的直接主因，但艾里斯却提出个体往往带著自己的信念及期望，对事物作出主观的理解及分析。