Table 2.3 Common Cognitive Distortions

Question 1

All or nothing thinking

Answer 1

thinking in black and white
reducing complex outcomes into absolutes

Question 2

overgeneralization

Answer 2

using a bad outcome as evidence that nothing will ever go right again

Question 3

labeling

Answer 3

a form of generalization in which a characteristic or event becomes definitive and results in an overly harsh label for self or others

Question 4

mental filter

Answer 4

focusing on a negative detail or bad event and allowing it to taint everything else

Question 5

disqualifying the positive

Answer 5

maintaining a negative view by rejecting information that supports a positive view as being irrelevant, inaccurate, or accidental

Question 6

jumping to conclusions

Answer 6

making a negative interpretation despite the fact that there is little to no supporting evidence

Question 7

mind reading

Answer 7

inferring negative thoughts, responses, and motives of others

Question 8

fortune telling error

Answer 8

anticipating that things will turn out badly as an established fact

Question 9

magnification/minimization

Answer 9

exaggerating the importance of something or reducing the importance of something

Question 10

catastrophizing

Answer 10

extreme form of magnification in which the very worst is assumed to be a probable outcome

Question 11

emotional reasoning

Answer 11

drawing a conclusion based on emotional state

Question 12

should and must statements

Answer 12

rigid self directives that presume an unrealistic amount of control over external events

Question 13

personalization

Answer 13

assuming responsibility for an external event or situation that was likely outside personal control

Question 14

although Lindsey earned the second highest score in the states cheerleading competition, she cosistently referred to herself as a loser

Answer 14

all or nothin

Question 15

Andrew had a minor traffic accident. he is reluctant to drive and says “I shouldn’t be allowed on the road”

Answer 15

overgeneralization

Question 16

because I failed the advanced stats exam I am a failure and I might as well give up and find a easier major

Answer 16

labeling

Question 17

annes boss evaluated her work as exemplary and gave her a few suggestions for improvement, she obsessed about the suggestions and ignored the rest

Answer 17

mental filter

Question 18

I’ve just been offered the job I always thought I wanted, there must have been no other applicants

Answer 18

disqualifying the positive

Question 19

my fiancé Juan didn’t call me for 3 hours, that just shows. he doesn’t love me

Answer 19

jumping to conclusions

Question 20

Isabel is giving a presentation and a man in the audience is sleeping she thinks “I must be boring”

Answer 20

mind reading

Question 21

ill ask her out but I know she won’t have a good time

Answer 21

fortune telling error

Question 22

I’m alone on a Saturday night because no one likes me, when other people are alone its because they want to be

Answer 22

magnification

Question 23

if I don’t make a good impression at the company picnic ill be fired

Answer 23

catastrophizing

Question 24

I’m nervous about the exam, I must have not prepared, if I were I wouldn’t be nervous

Answer 24

emotional reasoning

Question 25

Renee believes that a patient with diabetes has high sugar today because she is nota good nurse and that he patients should always get better

Answer 25

should and must statements

Question 26

Im sorry your party wasn’t fun, its probably because I was there

Answer 26

personalization