🧠 Name That Distortion
Sarah got one question wrong on her exam and said,
"I'm so stupid."
What is Labeling?
Which emotion usually jumps to the worst-case scenario first?
Who is Anxiety (or Fear)?
Your text hasn't been answered for three hours.
Possible thought: "They hate me."
Mind Reading
Balanced thought:
"They might be busy."
"I failed one quiz."
Fact
"In Mean Girls, Regina assumes everyone is talking about her. What distortion is this?"
Mind Reading
Regina assumes she knows what other people are thinking without evidence.
"I didn't get this job, so I'll never get hired anywhere."
What is Overgeneralization?
If Anxiety says, "Everyone at school is going to laugh at Riley," what distortion is happening?
What is Catastrophizing?
You burned dinner.
Thought:
"I'm a terrible cook."
Labeling
Balanced thought:
"I made one mistake."
"I'm a failure."
Thought
(Labeling)
In The Office, Michael Scott often thinks he knows the conclusion before knowing all the facts. What cognitive distortion is this?
Jumping to Conclusions
"I forgot to call my friend back. I'm the worst friend ever."
What is All-or-Nothing Thinking (or Labeling)?
Sadness says,
"Nobody wants to be my friend."
What distortion is this?
What is Overgeneralization?
You forgot one homework assignment. Thought: "I always mess everything up."
Overgeneralization
Balanced thought: "I forgot one assignment."
"My friend didn't answer."
Fact
In Finding Nemo, Marlin constantly expects the worst possible outcome whenever Nemo is in danger.
Catastrophizing
"I feel anxious, so something bad must be about to happen."
What is Emotional Reasoning?
Embarrassment thinks, "Everyone noticed what I did."
What is Mind Reading?
Your boss asks to meet.
Thought:
"I'm getting fired."
Catastrophizing or Fortune Telling
Balanced thought:
"I don't know why they want to meet."
"They're ignoring me because they hate me."
Thought
(Mind Reading)
In Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom constantly believes he'll mess everything up, even before he tries.
Fortune Telling
"My coworker didn't smile today. They must be mad at me."
What is Mind Reading?
Joy reminds everyone, "Just because we're nervous doesn't mean we're in danger." Which distortion is she correcting?
What is Emotional Reasoning?
You receive nine compliments and one criticism.
You only remember the criticism.
Mental Filter
Balanced thought:
"Most feedback was positive."
"I feel embarrassed."
Fact (a feeling)
Follow-up:
Does feeling embarrassed automatically mean everyone noticed?
No.
In High School Musical, Troy worries that if he sings in the musical, everyone will reject him and his life at school will be ruined.
Catastrophizing