Self-Deception vs Self-Honesty
This defense mechanism helps us avoid uncomfortable truths by refusing to acknowledge reality.
What is denial?
Putting off tasks that matter most is called this.
What is procrastination?
Choosing immediate pleasure over long-term goals is called this bias
What is instant gratification (or present bias)?
Believing abilities can improve with effort reflects this mindset.
What is a growth mindset?
This genetic molecule carries hereditary information in nearly all living organisms.
What is DNA
Telling yourself “It’s not that bad” or “Everyone drinks like this” is an example of this cognitive distortion.
What is minimization (or rationalization)?
his belief often fuels self-sabotage: “If I don’t try, then I can’t ____.”
What is fail (or be judged/rejected)?
This CBT skill asks: “How will this choice affect me 6 months or 1 year from now?”
What is future-oriented thinking (or consequence forecasting)?
Automatically expecting the worst outcome is this cognitive distortion.
What is catastrophizing?
This neurotransmitter is most associated with reward, motivation, and addiction pathways in the brain.
What is dopamine?
This psychological skill involves noticing thoughts and behaviors without judgment so you can respond honestly rather than defensively.
What is self-awareness (or mindfulness)?
Repeatedly choosing familiar pain over healthy change is often linked to this psychological concept.
What is comfort zone or learned patterns/conditioning?
Research shows people make healthier decisions when they view their future self as this.
What is connected/real/like the same person (or emotionally connected)?
This practice helps shift attention from problems to strengths and resources.
What is gratitude (or strengths-based thinking)?
This body system maintains internal balance through hormones and includes glands like the pituitary and thyroid.
What is the endocrine system?
When someone blames others for their behavior instead of accepting responsibility, they are engaging in this defense mechanism.
What is projection?
Engaging in behaviors that conflict with stated goals due to unconscious resistance to change.
What is self-sabotage?
Thinking about how today’s choices affect tomorrow is called this.
What is thinking ahead?
Ignoring positives while focusing only on negatives.
What is mental filtering (or negative filtering)?
This part of the brain is responsible for executive functioning, impulse control, and decision-making.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Downplaying the severity of a problem by saying “It’s not that bad.”
What is minimization?
Repeating harmful relationship or behavioral patterns because they feel familiar.
What is conditioning (or learned behavior)?
Setting small daily actions that build toward a larger goal demonstrates this type of thinking.
What is goal-oriented thinking?
According to the CBT model, thoughts directly influence these two things.
What are emotions and behaviors?
This 2023 film about the creation of the atomic bomb was directed by Christopher Nolan and won multiple Oscars
What is Oppenheimer?