The current study aimed to be an empirical test of E-Prime theory regarding its alleged positive effects of eliminating the verb “to be” from speech. Therefore, we investigated the intensity and the direction of the association between the frequency of using the verb “to be” and various psychological outcomes, namely general rational and irrational beliefs, negative functional and dysfunctional emotions, the functionality of inferences, and general psychological distress. 197 participants completed measures of investigated variables. Multiple Pearson product-moment correlations were used to test our hypothesis within a cross-sectional design. The frequency of using the verb “to be” was significantly negatively associated with levels of general rational beliefs, r = − .211, p = .021, and also with levels of preference beliefs, r = − .251, p = .003. This study provides first evidence in favor of E-Prime’s assumption that a less frequent use of the verb “to be” can lead to a less rigid and non-judgmental style of thinking. The elimination of the verb “to be” from speech may prevent dogmatic or rigid thinking, thus stimulating flexibility, and in turn determine the increase of rational beliefs levels, especially the levels of preference beliefs. Possible clinical and scientific implications are discussed.

中文翻译：

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使用动词“to be”频率的情感和认知相关性：E-Prime理论的实证检验

目前的研究旨在对 E-Prime 理论进行实证检验，了解其所谓的从语音中消除动词“to be”的积极影响。因此，我们调查了动词“to be”的使用频率与各种心理结果之间的关联强度和方向，即一般理性和非理性信念、消极功能性和功能失调情绪、推论的功能性和一般心理困扰. 197 名参与者完成了对调查变量的测量。多个 Pearson 乘积矩相关性用于在横截面设计中测试我们的假设。使用动词“成为”的频率与一般理性信念的水平显着负相关，r = - .211，p = .021，以及偏好信念的水平，r = - .251，p = .003 . 这项研究提供了第一个支持 E-Prime 假设的证据，即较少使用动词“to be”可以导致不那么僵化和非判断性的思维方式。言语中去掉“to be”这个动词，可以防止教条式或僵化的思维，从而激发灵活性，进而决定理性信念水平，尤其是偏好信念水平的提高。讨论了可能的临床和科学意义。尤其是偏好信念的水平。讨论了可能的临床和科学意义。尤其是偏好信念的水平。讨论了可能的临床和科学意义。