Thinking Errors 1
You criticize yourself or others with "Shoulds" or "Shouldn'ts"
What is Should Statements?
You shrink the importance of something inappropriately.
What is Minimization?
My friend is quieter than usual, they must be mad at me.
What is Mind Reading?
I shouldn't have done that. I should have listened better.
What is Should Statements?
"I am stupid. I can't do anything right."
"I made a mistake. Everybody makes mistakes." "I can learn from this and do better next time."
You assume people are reacting negatively to you when there is no definite evidence for this.
What is Mind Reading?
You identify with your shortcomings. Instead of saying "I made a mistake" you say "I am stupid."
What is Labeling?
If I don't get an A in all of my classes than it doesn't matter what my grade is.
What is All-or-Nothing Thinking?
My parent was late picking me up from school yesterday, she is always late.
What is Overgeneralization?
My friend hasn't talked to me all day. I wonder what I did to make him mad.
"Maybe something happened last night or this morning at home that was difficult for my friend." "My friend might be stressed out. I should ask if there is anythign I can do to help."
You look at things in absolute, black and white categories.
What is All-or-Nothing Thinking?
You blame yourself for something you weren't entirely responsible for.
What is Personalization?
One bad thing happened today, it is a horrible day.
What is Mental Filter?
I got an A on the test, but just because it was easy and the teacher was nice in grading it.
What is Discounting the Positives?
"If I can't finish the assignment at school, than I'm not doing."
"I can get as much done as I can in the time provided and than finish it tomorrow during study hall." "It is better to get some of it done and turned in than not turn in anything."
You dwell on the negatives and ignore the positives.
What is Mental Filter?
You insist that your accomplishments or positive qualities "don't count."
What is Discounting the Positives?
I am going to fail the test, so why bother to study for it.
What is Fortune Telling?
I feel like a failure; I must be a disappointment.
What is Emotional Reasoning?
"I had a surprise quiz in math and it ruined my mood for the entire day even if I did do well on my science project."
"That math concept is difficult for me, maybe I can go in and get help for the teacher to better understand it." "I am glad I did well on my science project, I had put a lot of work into it. I feel proud of myself."
You view a negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat.
What is Overgeneralization?
You reason on how you feel. I feel this way therefore it must be true.
What is Emotional Reasoning?
I'm not getting a good grade in science because my teacher is mean and too hard.
What is Blaming?
I don't have any friends in my class. I need to change my schedule.
What is Magnification?
"I can't believe I passed that test. Good thing the teacher made it easy."
"I passed the test because I studied really hard for it." "I came prepared and did the best I could on the test."