Cognitive Distortions Flashcards
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
Seeing things in black-and-white categories. If something isn’t perfect, it’s viewed as a total failure.
“If I don’t get an A, I’m a complete failure.”
What is overgeneralisation?
Making broad conclusions based on a single event or piece of evidence.
“I didn’t get the job—nothing ever works out for me.”
What is mental filtering?
Focusing only on the negative details of a situation and ignoring the positives.
“I made one mistake during the presentation—it was a disaster.”
What is discounting the positive?
Rejecting positive experiences by insisting they don’t count.
“They were just being nice—it doesn’t mean I did well.”
What is mind reading in cognitive distortions?
Assuming you know what others are thinking without evidence.
“She didn’t say hi—she must be mad at me.”
What is fortune telling in cognitive distortions?
Predicting negative outcomes as if they are certain to happen.
“I know I’ll mess up the interview.”
What is catastrophising (magnification)?
Exaggerating the importance or consequences of problems or mistakes.
“If I make a mistake, I’ll lose my job.”
What is minimisation in cognitive distortions?
Downplaying the importance of positive events or achievements.
“It was nothing—anyone could have done it.”
What is emotional reasoning?
Believing that feelings reflect objective reality.
“I feel worthless, so I must be worthless.”
What are ‘should’ statements in cognitive distortions?
Using critical “shoulds,” “musts,” or “oughts” to pressure yourself or others.
“I should always be productive.”
What is labelling and mislabelling?
Assigning global, negative labels based on limited behaviour.
“I’m a loser” instead of “I made a mistake.”
What is personalisation?
Taking responsibility for events outside your control.
“It’s my fault the team didn’t succeed.”
What are control fallacies?
Believing you have total control or no control over events.
Internal control: “Everything is my fault”; External control: “There’s nothing I can do.”
What is the fallacy of fairness?
Believing life should be fair and feeling resentful when it isn’t.
“It’s not fair I work harder and get less recognition.”
What is blaming in cognitive distortions?
Holding others responsible for your emotional pain.
“You make me feel bad about myself.”
What is the heaven’s reward fallacy?
Believing that effort and self-sacrifice should guarantee rewards.
“I’ve been good—why isn’t life treating me better?”
