Your Boos Mean Nothing, I've See What Makes You Cheer

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit, property of Adult Swim, fair use

On season four, episode three of adult animated science fiction sitcom Rick and Morty, character Rick Sanchez is booed by a crowd. Defiantly, Rick responds, “Your boos mean nothing, I’ve seen what makes you cheer!”

Regarding a meme that was spawned from the episode, one source explains, “Typically, the meme is used to show when an individual doesn’t care about what someone thinks of their opinion or statement.” I appreciate this approach to rational living. Allow me to clarify.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and one Believes an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s one’s unfavorable assumption and not the occurrence itself that causes an unpleasant Consequence.

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas unhelpful beliefs result in self-disturbance, the ABC models aims to un-disturb an individual.

Similarly, REBT uses the technique of unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.

Noteworthy, REBT theory recognizes the distinction between unhealthy and healthy negative emotions. For example, the former relates to guilt and shame and the latter pertains to frustration, annoyance, and disappointment.

When working with clients who experience guilt (a feeling of deserving blame for offenses) and shame (a feeling of humiliating disgrace or disrepute), I assess for the utility of these unhealthy negative emotions. This is done through use of the ABC model.

Now suppose that when being booed by others, rather than experiencing guilt or shame, a client disputes irrational beliefs and arrives at an effective new belief by maintaining, “Your boos mean nothing, I’ve seen what makes you cheer.” The consequence of this outlook could be annoyance.

Likewise, the client may use UA. Without meaning to oversimplify this technique, UA acknowledges the imperfection inherent in an impermanent and uncertain life while further recognizing one’s own limits regarding control and influence in most matters of existence.

Now imagine that when being booed by others, rather than experiencing guilt or shame, a client uses UA by concluding, “Your boos mean nothing, as I have no control over what you think. Besides, I’ve seen what makes you cheer. Therefore, I’m merely disappointed by your actions.”

Whether using the ABC model or UA, character Rick Sanchez’s memetic expression is something I consider as a worthwhile approach to rational living. Perhaps you disagree. Maybe you maintain that I should feel guilty or ashamed for valuing Rick’s perspective. Aight, bet.

Your boos mean nothing, I’ve seen what makes you cheer.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging 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

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