Name that Thinking Error! Part 1
Assigning labels to ourselves and other people
Labeling
The belief that things should be a certain way, which can result in a person feeling guilty or like they failed.
“Should” Statements
"I won't get sick because I knocked on wood."
Magical Thinking
"If I do not pass this test, than I am a failure."
All or Nothing, or Black and White Thinking
Recognizing only the negative aspects of a situation while ignoring the positive.
Disqualifying the Positive
Thinking in rigid absolutes, such as “always”, “never”, or “every”
All or Nothing Thinking, or Black and White Thinking
Seeing a pattern based upon a single event, or being overly broad in the conclusions we draw.
Overgeneralization
"If I fail this math test, I'm going to end up living in a van down by the river."
Catastrophizing (Magnification)
"I should be strong for my friend. I should not tell them about my struggles."
"Should" statements
The assumption that emotions reflect the way things really are.
Emotional Reasoning
Exaggerating the importance of events.
Magnification
Minimizing the importance of events
Minimization
"My friend did not respond to the text I just sent. Something bad must have happened to them."
Jumping to conclusions
"Just because I aced all my exams doesn't mean I'm smart. I just got lucky."
Disqualifying the Positive
"No one is going to talk to me at the party, so I'm not going."
Fortune telling
Blaming yourself or taking responsibility for something that was not completely your fault.
Personalization
Coming to a conclusion about a situation with little or no evidence.
Jumping to Conclusions
Mind Reading
"If I was a better friend, Glinda wouldn't be so mad all the time."
Personalization
"They cut me off on the highway, they must be a jerk."
Interpreting the thoughts and beliefs of others without adequate evidence.
Mind Reading
The expectation that a situation will turn out a certain way without adequate evidence.
Fortune Telling
"That joke I made was not that offensive, that can't be the reason that Louise is upset."
Minimization
"My boyfriend just broke up with me. Why does everyone always leave me?"
Overgeneralization
"This one drop of paint ruins the whole painting"
Magnification