Cognitive Distortions

Question 1

Cognitive distortions are

Answer 1

are exaggerated or irrational thought patterns that are believed to perpetuate the effects of psychopathological states, especially depression and anxiety

Question 2

Cognitive distortions are

Answer 2

thoughts that cognitive therapists believe cause individuals to perceive reality inaccurately. These thinking patterns often are said to reinforce negative thoughts or emotions.

Question 3

Cognitive distortions tend to

Answer 3

interfere with the way a person perceives an event. Because the way a person feels intervenes with how they think, these distorted thoughts can feed negative emotions and lead an individual affected by cognitive distortions towards an overall negative outlook on the world and consequently a depressive or anxious mental state.

Question 4

Personalizing

Answer 4

Taking something personally that may not be personal. Seeing events as consequences of your actions when there are other possibilities.

Question 5

Personalizing

Answer 5

Example: Believing someone’s brusque tone must be because they’re irritated with you.

Question 6

Personalizing

Answer 6

You believe others are behaving negatively because of you, without considering more plausible explanations for their behavior.

Question 7

Personalizing

Answer 7

Example: My professor’s bad mood in that meeting must have been my fault.

Question 8

All-or-Nothing thinking (black-and-white, polarized, or dichotomous thinking)

Answer 8

You view a situation in only two categories instead of on a continuum.

Question 9

All-or-Nothing thinking (black-and-white, polarized, or dichotomous thinking)

Answer 9

Example: “Johnny was a saint!” despite being a violent criminal.

Question 10

Catastrophising (also called fortune telling

Answer 10

You predict the future negatively without considering other, more likely outcomes.

Question 11

Catastrophising (also called fortune telling

Answer 11

Example: I missed a problem on the homework so I know I’ll fail the test.

Question 12

Disqualifying or discounting the positive

Answer 12

You unreasonably tell yourself that positive experiences, deeds, or qualities do not count.

Question 13

Disqualifying or discounting the positive

Answer 13

Example: That last session of therapy went well, but I doubt I’ll get better.

Question 14

Emotional reasoning

Answer 14

You think something must be true because you “feel” (actually believe) it so strongly, ignoring or discounting evidence to the contrary.

Question 15

Emotional reasoning

Answer 15

Example: I get good grades, but I don’t feel all that intelligent.

Question 16

Labeling

Answer 16

You put a fixed, global label on yourself or others without considering that the evidence might more
reasonably lead to a less disastrous conclusion.

Question 17

Labeling

Answer 17

Example: I’m so stupid.

Question 18

Magnification/Minimization

Answer 18

When you evaluate yourself, another person, or a situation, you unreasonably magnify the negative and/or minimize the positive.

Question 19

Magnification/Minimization

Answer 19

Example: I just stubbed my toe, the whole world is against me.

Question 20

Mental filter (selective abstraction)

Answer 20

You pay undue attention to one negative detail instead of seeing the whole picture

Question 21

Mental filter (selective abstraction)

Answer 21

Example: I missed two points on my homework, I’m doing terrible in this class.

Question 22

Mind reading

Answer 22

You believe you know what others’ motivations are, or what they are thinking, failing to consider other, more likely possibilities

Question 23

Mind reading

Answer 23

Example: They aren’t looking at me because I am so disgusting.

Question 24

Overgeneralization (global thinking)

Answer 24

You make a sweeping negative conclusion that goes far beyond the current situation.

Question 25

Overgeneralization (global thinking)

Answer 25

Example: I did not get that interview. I’ll never get a job.

Question 26

“Should” and “must” statements (imperatives)

Answer 26

You have a precise, fixed idea of how you or others should behave and you overestimate how bad it is that these expectations are not met.

Question 27

“Should” and “must” statements (imperatives)

Answer 27

Example: I must be a perfect student or I’ll never get into a doctoral program.

Question 28

Tunnel vision

Answer 28

You only see the negative aspects of a situation.

Question 29

Tunnel vision

Answer 29

Example: My girlfriend is the worst. She never calls me, always complains, and never listens.