Thinking Traps

Tony

100

They are so smart and talented. I will never be like that. 

Compare and despair. 

200

The only reason I got an F is because of my teacher. 

Blaming

300

I am such an idiot. You are so lazy. 

Labeling 

400

We won the baseketball game but I am too angry that I missed 2 of my free throws

Mental Filter

500

I got a bad grade on this assignment. I am never going to learn this subject. 

Black and White Thinking

Kyle

100

Taking zero responsibility for role in a situation, putting all blame on someone or something else. 

Blaming

200

Dismissing postive thinkng that happens to you becuase you belive it doesnt count

Disqualifying the postive 

300

Blaming yourself unnecessarily for external negative events even when you may only be partly responsible or not responsible at all. 

Personalization 

400

Seeing something as either all good or bad. One extreme or the other. There are no gray areas. 

Black and White Thinking AKA All or nothing thinking 

500

Exaggerating a mistake or a negative quality in yourself. 

Magnification and Minimalizing