Dialectics
TRUE or FALSE:
The Middle Path means split things right down the middle when you disagree.
FALSE: The middle path is anywhere in between the two points you start at.
This is when we think things are 100% one way.
Black-and-White thinking
(AKA All-Or-Nothing thinking)
TRUE or FALSE:
Validation is the same thing as Agreeing.
FALSE: Validating someone does not mean you necessarily agree with them.
Reinforcers (increase OR decrease) behavior and Punishments (increase OR decrease) behavior.
Punishments DECREASE
One of the main dialectics in DBT.
Acceptance and Change
This is when we assume we know what other people are thinking.
Mind Reading
TRUE or FALSE:
Mirroring back what someone says usually feels condescending.
FALSE: Reflecting back someone’s words usually makes them feel heard (as long as we use an empathetic tone).
The meanings of “positive” and “negative” mean in terms of reinforcement and punishment.
Positive = something is added
Negative = something is taken away
This is the only constant.
Change
This is when we assume the worst is going to happen.
Catastrophizing
(AKA fortunetelling error)
This is a way we can validate without saying anything.
Body Language
(e.g., eye contact, nodding, facial expressions, etc.)
This is when you break behavior change down by reinforcing smaller steps.
Shaping
Give 2 examples of how we can change our language to be more dialectical.
Either/Or becomes Both/And
Always/Never becomes Sometimes/Often
Should becomes Could
"You..." becomes "I feel..."
add Yet or Right Now
(may be other acceptable examples)
This is when we take our feelings as facts.
Emotional Reasoning
Name at least 2 of the things we can validate.
Two of the following:
Feelings
Thoughts
Behaviors/Actions
This is when behaviors get really big before they get better during extinction protocols.
Extinction Burst
(AKA behavioral burst)
Give an example of a dialectic in your life.
many acceptable responses
(e.g., "be more independent and accept help")
When we “should” on ourselves/others, we are probably doing this to ourselves/others.
Being curious rather than critical can help us make sense of our/someone else’s feelings, thoughts, or actions by considering this.
History (context)
Name one reason punishment should be used less than reinforcement.
Any of the following:
•Punishment does not teach new behavior.
•Punishment can lead to resentment/demoralization.
•Punishment can lead to self-punishment.