Definitions 1
This is focusing on the negatives of a situation and ignoring the positives.
(Negative) Mental Filtering
This is a negative, intrusive, or inaccurate perception, thought, or belief that can lead to increased negative feelings.
Cognitive Distortion or Automatic Negative Thought (ANT)
"My boss told me I made a mistake at work, and I cannot stop thinking about it."
"My boss just wanted to let me know so I can improve for next time."
"I'm an ugly person."
What cognitive distortion is also known as "all-or-nothing thinking" or "black and white thinking."
Polarized Thinking
This is believing you know what other people are thinking without evidence to support that thought.
Mind Reading
This is predicting or believing you know what will happen in the future without any evidence to support this conclusion.
Fortune Telling
"We have many similarities but they like different video games, so we cannot be friends."
"It is okay to not have everything in common with your friends. It helps us to maintain individuality."
"If I had a million dollars, all of my problems would be solved."
Magical Thinking
"I didn't get the answer right, I don't know anything."
"I didn't get that answer right, but it doesn't mean I'm not smart. I can keep trying."
This is over exaggeration or blowing a situation out of proportion to the reality.
Magnification or Catastrophizing
This is when someone takes a situation personally or assumes they have been intentionally excluded or targeted.
Personalization
"My coworker got promoted, but I feel like I work harder than them."
"I cannot control my boss' decisions, but I am grateful for the job I have."
"I know she hates me and doesn't want to be my friend."
Mind Reading
"My friend hasn't texted me back in a few hours, they must hate me."
"My friend hasn't texted me back yet, but they may be busy or asleep."
This is acknowledging the positives but refusing to accept them.
Disqualifying the Positive
This is believing someone else is responsible for a negative situation or your pain. Not taking accountability for one's own actions.
Blaming
"They did not want to do the task how I wanted it done. They must be incompetent."
"We can both have different ways of getting something done. It doesn't mean either of us are wrong."
"Transportation being late was the worst thing that has ever happened to me.
Magnification or Catastrophizing
"I had a bad thought, so I must be a terrible person."
"I had a bad thought, but I didn't act on it and it has passed."
This is focusing on a single event and making a conclusion based on a single piece of negative evidence. Applying this conclusion to all similar events going forward.
This is believing everyone should change to suit your interests and wants. Your happiness is dependent on the other person changing.
Fallacy of Change
"I failed the exam, but it is all because the teacher hates me and the subject is too hard."
"I may have failed, so I will just need to study harder for the next one to improve."
"I feel lonely, so that means no one must want to be my friend."
Emotional Reasoning
"I didn't finish my chores today, so I must be a lazy person."
"I did what I could today, and I can finish them tomorrow. I was still productive today."