Cognitive Distortions
What is a Cognitive Distortion?
Irrational thought patterns that are exaggerated by negative thinking and feelings
Define "Personalization"
When engaging in this type of distortion, an individual will take things personally. This will cause a direct and personal reaction to everything others do or say even if it was unrelated to them. Leads to feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy.
Name this cognitive distortion: An employee who receives a performance review at work gets a good review but focuses on one negative comment their manager made about them during the review.
Negative Mental Filtering Example
I'm everywhere and a part of everyone. I am at the end of space and time and existence itself. What am I?
The letter "E"
What book holds the record for the fastest selling book in history?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Define "Labeling"
Labeling is assigning judgment to yourself or others based on one negative occurrence or incident.
Define "Emotional Reasoning"
Whatever emotion a person is feeling during this thought distortion must be true in their mind. One’s emotion is accepted as fact because all logical reasoning is blocked out. They are incorrectly assuming that the negative feeling brought out by their emotions is the only truth.
Name this cognitive distortion: You have a date with a wonderful person, but you predict that the date will go wrong. You start making assumptions about how the date will go before it even has occurred. The predictions are not based on any actual evidence.
Fortune Telling Example
You see a boat filled with people. It has not sunk, but when you look again you don’t see a single person on the boat. Why?
All the people were married.
When was the first iPod released?
2001
Why is it important to address Cognitive Distortions?
To help people challenge/change their thinking patterns
Name this cognitive distortion: You might feel lonely because at this moment you are by yourself and your friends are off doing something fun. However, from this feeling, you assume no one loves you or wants to be around you.
Emotional Reasoning Example
Name this cognitive distortion: You ask a colleague for help with a task you are working on. Your colleague quickly dismisses your attention and does not help you. Based on this you assume they are a selfish jerk.
Labeling Example
I have keys, but no locks. I have space, but no rooms. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I?
A keyboard.
Which country produces the most tea?
Define "Jumping to Conclusions"
There are two types for this distortion, Minding Reading and Fortune Telling. Both consist of jumping to conclusions and making assumptions that are not based on any actual evidence.
Name this cognitive distortion: A student receives a bad grade on one exam, based on this they think they are stupid and a failure and believe that in all future exams they will get a bad grade as well.
Overgeneralization Example
What is a way to challenge Cognitive Distortions?
Writing down the thoughts and reframe them
This belongs to you, but everyone else uses it.
Your name.
Which shoe did Cinderella leave behind at the ball?
Left
Define "Overgeneralization"
Overgeneralization thinking occurs when a person focuses on a single event that occurred and makes a conclusion based on this single piece of negative evidence.
Name this cognitive distortion: When you are spending time with a friend, but they seem distracted or uninterested. You automatically jump to the conclusion that it has something to do with you.
Mind Reading Example
What does it mean to reframe your thoughts?
Identify, challenge negative thoughts, check the facts...etc.
I walked out in the rain with nothing to cover me, and not a single hair gets wet. How is it possible?
I'm bald.
Which city is “101 Dalmatians” set in?
London