Thinking Traps
Ortiz passed the new PT test with flying colors even though he was worried about not passing the run. His time is the highest in his in squad but he writes it off as “no biggie.”
What is disqualifying the positive. or minimization
Kevin usually volunteers to help grill the meat at the Unit BBQs and is known for his skills. This time he burns the hamburgers. He says to himself – “I ALWAYS mess things up for everyone!”
What is personalisation. What is All-or-nothing thinking.
Jeff really wanted a special edition Xbox game for Christmas. His girlfriend bought him head phones instead. Jeff thinks: “She doesn't love me. This relationship sucks.”
What is all or nothing thinking.
Emily was looking at her boyfriend’s facebook page and noticed that a girl she didn’t know was posting on his wall. She figured he must be cheating on her and started crying hysterically.
What is jumping to conclusions.
All cats are scary. People should only have dogs as pets.
What is all or nothing thinking.
After being in Korea, Marquis was told that he would get his choice of his next duty station. He snow boards and chose Ft. Drum which is close to his parents. Marquis instead got his 2nd choice in Colorado where his sister lives. He thinks: “I’m such a let down to my parents.”
What is labeling. disqualifying the positive.
My family is struggling financially and my grandfather is sick. I need to be home or near it. I am supposed to be there for them but I am stuck at a crazy duty station and can't get home. If I don't do something then my family will fall apart. I have to figure out something.
Should and must
Andrew invited a friend to come over to his house on the weekend. The friend said he was busy and couldn’t come. Andrew thought it must mean that this friend doesn’t want to hang out with him anymore. Andrew decided he wouldn’t ask his friend to do anything again.
What is mind reading.
Martin did well in front of the promotion board, but stutters for a second mid-way. His NCO gives him positive feedback. Martin can’t stop thinking about how he messed up.
What is mental filter.
Rodriquez stopped drinking and hangs out in his room on the weekends while his friends hang out in the ville. One night they all get into a fight with some other guys. "If I had been there the fight might not have happened or I could have stopped it."
What is personalization.
I got into trouble with alcohol and let my Command down. I guess that makes me a douche bag or worse.
What is labeling.
Diaz forgot to invite folks after group to go hiking for something to do that didn't involve drinking. “I’m soooooooo stupid!!!”
What is labeling.
Kyle passes by his 1SG's office and says hello, but the 1SG doesn't respond and just keeps looking at his paperwork. Kyle thinks to himself – “Oh great! He hates me and won't even look at me.”
What is mind reading.
Marcia notices an ad for a salesperson in her favorite store at the mall. She decides not to bother applying because so far, every time she has applied, she has been turned down.
What is over-generalizing.
After playing a difficult piece on the piano, a gifted pianist told herself, "I shouldn't have made so many mistakes." This made her feel so disgusted that she quite practicing for several weeks.
What is "should" statements.
Lisa is in AIT for 3 months for IT and doing well except for one class. She thinks to herself – “I’m not made out for this…maybe I should try to reclass or get out of the military.”
What is overgeneralizing.
Bill’s grandmother is in hospital with heart problems. She’s a young gramma in relatively good health. Bill thinks to himself – “this is it; she’s gonna catch COVID19 in there and die.”
What is fortune telling.
Jack is in a rush. He’s at the grocery store trying to buy some pop and chips for a movie night when the person in front of him has too many items for the express lane and needs to wait for a stock person to check on a price. This is the second time in a year this has happened to Jack. Jack thinks, “This ALWAYS happens to me! Grocery shopping is always stressful!”
What is overgeneralizing.
I'm in Korea and bored. This place sucks. I hate kimchi. They don't have anything here for me to eat. I guess it was meant for me to be miserable like some of the other people in my unit.
What is emotional reasoning.