Cognitive Distortions

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing common cognitive distortions discussed in the lecture.

Cognitive Distortion

A habitual error in thinking that distorts reality and often leads to emotional distress.

Dichotomous Thinking

Viewing situations in all-or-nothing, black-or-white categories with no middle ground.

Overgeneralization

Drawing sweeping conclusions from a single event or limited evidence.

Selective Abstraction

Focusing exclusively on the negative aspect of a situation while ignoring the positive.

Disqualifying the Positive

Rejecting or dismissing positive experiences as if they 'don’t count.'

Mind Reading

Assuming you know what others are thinking without any real evidence.

Fortune Telling

Predicting negative outcomes before they occur and treating them as certainties.

Minimization

Downplaying or undervaluing one’s positive qualities or achievements.

Catastrophizing

Expecting or visualizing the worst-case scenario in any situation.

Emotional Reasoning

Accepting one’s feelings as evidence that something is true, regardless of facts.

“Should” Statements

Imposing rigid rules or unrealistic expectations on oneself or others using words like ‘should,’ ‘must,’ or ‘ought.’

Personalization/Blame

Taking excessive responsibility for events beyond one’s control or unfairly assigning blame to others.