Table 2.3 Common Cognitive Distortions Flashcards
All or nothing thinking
thinking in black and white
reducing complex outcomes into absolutes
overgeneralization
using a bad outcome as evidence that nothing will ever go right again
labeling
a form of generalization in which a characteristic or event becomes definitive and results in an overly harsh label for self or others
mental filter
focusing on a negative detail or bad event and allowing it to taint everything else
disqualifying the positive
maintaining a negative view by rejecting information that supports a positive view as being irrelevant, inaccurate, or accidental
jumping to conclusions
making a negative interpretation despite the fact that there is little to no supporting evidence
mind reading
inferring negative thoughts, responses, and motives of others
fortune telling error
anticipating that things will turn out badly as an established fact
magnification/minimization
exaggerating the importance of something or reducing the importance of something
catastrophizing
extreme form of magnification in which the very worst is assumed to be a probable outcome
emotional reasoning
drawing a conclusion based on emotional state
should and must statements
rigid self directives that presume an unrealistic amount of control over external events
personalization
assuming responsibility for an external event or situation that was likely outside personal control
although Lindsey earned the second highest score in the states cheerleading competition, she cosistently referred to herself as a loser
all or nothin
Andrew had a minor traffic accident. he is reluctant to drive and says “I shouldn’t be allowed on the road”
overgeneralization
because I failed the advanced stats exam I am a failure and I might as well give up and find a easier major
labeling
annes boss evaluated her work as exemplary and gave her a few suggestions for improvement, she obsessed about the suggestions and ignored the rest
mental filter
I’ve just been offered the job I always thought I wanted, there must have been no other applicants
disqualifying the positive
my fiancé Juan didn’t call me for 3 hours, that just shows. he doesn’t love me
jumping to conclusions
Isabel is giving a presentation and a man in the audience is sleeping she thinks “I must be boring”
mind reading
ill ask her out but I know she won’t have a good time
fortune telling error
I’m alone on a Saturday night because no one likes me, when other people are alone its because they want to be
magnification
if I don’t make a good impression at the company picnic ill be fired
catastrophizing
I’m nervous about the exam, I must have not prepared, if I were I wouldn’t be nervous
emotional reasoning
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
should and must statements
Im sorry your party wasn’t fun, its probably because I was there
personalization
