Cognitive distortion (psychology): Difference between revisions
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(New page: '''Cognitive distortions''' are inaccurate thoughts or ideas identified in cognitive therapy and its variants, which maintain negative thinking and help to maintain negative emotions. ...) |
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Related links are suggested in parentheses. | Related links are suggested in parentheses. | ||
#'''All-or-nothing thinking''' - Thinking of things in absolute terms, like "always", "every" or "never". Few aspects of human behavior are so absolute. (See [[Logical fallacies and intergenerational sexuality|false dichotomy]].) | #'''All-or-nothing thinking''' - Thinking of things in absolute terms, like "always", "every" or "never". Few aspects of human behavior are so absolute. (See [[Debate Guide: Logical fallacies and intergenerational sexuality|false dichotomy]].) | ||
#'''Overgeneralization''' - Taking isolated cases and using them to make wide generalizations. (See [[Logical fallacies and intergenerational sexuality|biased sample]].) | #'''Overgeneralization''' - Taking isolated cases and using them to make wide generalizations. (See [[Debate Guide: Logical fallacies and intergenerational sexuality|biased sample]].) | ||
#'''Mental filter''' - Focusing exclusively on certain, usually negative or upsetting, aspects of something while ignoring the rest, like a tiny imperfection in a piece of clothing. | #'''Mental filter''' - Focusing exclusively on certain, usually negative or upsetting, aspects of something while ignoring the rest, like a tiny imperfection in a piece of clothing. | ||
#'''Disqualifying the positive''' - Continually "shooting down" positive experiences for arbitrary, ad hoc reasons. | #'''Disqualifying the positive''' - Continually "shooting down" positive experiences for arbitrary, ad hoc reasons. | ||
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# '''Magnification''' and '''Minimization''' - Inappropriately understating or exaggerating the way people or situations truly are. Often the positive characteristics of ''other people'' are exaggerated and negative characteristics are understated. There is one subtype of magnification: | # '''Magnification''' and '''Minimization''' - Inappropriately understating or exaggerating the way people or situations truly are. Often the positive characteristics of ''other people'' are exaggerated and negative characteristics are understated. There is one subtype of magnification: | ||
#* ''Catastrophizing'' - Focusing on the worst possible outcome, however unlikely, or thinking that a situation is unbearable or impossible when it is really just uncomfortable. | #* ''Catastrophizing'' - Focusing on the worst possible outcome, however unlikely, or thinking that a situation is unbearable or impossible when it is really just uncomfortable. | ||
# '''Emotional reasoning''' - Making decisions and arguments based on how you ''feel'' rather than objective reality. (See [[Logical fallacies and intergenerational sexuality|appeal to consequences]].) | # '''Emotional reasoning''' - Making decisions and arguments based on how you ''feel'' rather than objective reality. (See [[Debate Guide: Logical fallacies and intergenerational sexuality|appeal to consequences]].) | ||
# Making '''should statements''' - Concentrating on what you think "should" or ought to be rather than the actual situation you are faced with, or having '''rigid rules''' which you think should always apply no matter what the circumstances are. [[Albert Ellis]] termed this "Musturbation". | # Making '''should statements''' - Concentrating on what you think "should" or ought to be rather than the actual situation you are faced with, or having '''rigid rules''' which you think should always apply no matter what the circumstances are. [[Albert Ellis]] termed this "Musturbation". | ||
# '''Labeling''' - Explaining behaviors or events, merely by naming them; related to overgeneralization. Rather than describing the specific behavior, you assign a label to someone or yourself that puts them in absolute and unalterable terms. | # '''Labeling''' - Explaining behaviors or events, merely by naming them; related to overgeneralization. Rather than describing the specific behavior, you assign a label to someone or yourself that puts them in absolute and unalterable terms. | ||
Revision as of 21:03, 8 January 2009
Cognitive distortions are inaccurate thoughts or ideas identified in cognitive therapy and its variants, which maintain negative thinking and help to maintain negative emotions. These were proposed by David D. Burns, MD. [1] These thinking patterns have been identified in arguments against homosexuality, adult-minor sex and other popular folk-devils.
List of distortions
Related links are suggested in parentheses.
- All-or-nothing thinking - Thinking of things in absolute terms, like "always", "every" or "never". Few aspects of human behavior are so absolute. (See false dichotomy.)
- Overgeneralization - Taking isolated cases and using them to make wide generalizations. (See biased sample.)
- Mental filter - Focusing exclusively on certain, usually negative or upsetting, aspects of something while ignoring the rest, like a tiny imperfection in a piece of clothing.
- Disqualifying the positive - Continually "shooting down" positive experiences for arbitrary, ad hoc reasons.
- Jumping to conclusions - Assuming something negative where there is no evidence to support it. Two specific subtypes are also identified:
- Mind reading - Assuming the intentions of others.
- Fortune telling - Predicting how things will turn before they happen.
- Magnification and Minimization - Inappropriately understating or exaggerating the way people or situations truly are. Often the positive characteristics of other people are exaggerated and negative characteristics are understated. There is one subtype of magnification:
- Catastrophizing - Focusing on the worst possible outcome, however unlikely, or thinking that a situation is unbearable or impossible when it is really just uncomfortable.
- Emotional reasoning - Making decisions and arguments based on how you feel rather than objective reality. (See appeal to consequences.)
- Making should statements - Concentrating on what you think "should" or ought to be rather than the actual situation you are faced with, or having rigid rules which you think should always apply no matter what the circumstances are. Albert Ellis termed this "Musturbation".
- Labeling - Explaining behaviors or events, merely by naming them; related to overgeneralization. Rather than describing the specific behavior, you assign a label to someone or yourself that puts them in absolute and unalterable terms.
- Personalization (or attribution) - Assuming you or others directly caused things when that may not have been the case. When applied to others, blame is an example.
See also
References
- ↑ Aaron T. Beck Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders. International Universities Press Inc., 1975. ISBN 0-8236-0990-1