Cognitive Distortions [Role of Cognitive Distortions in Cognitive Behavior Therapy] Cognitive Errors


Aaron T Beck, American Psychiatrist developed a cognitive hypothesis of development of psychopathology in humans. He pioneered in the area of cognitive triad, distortions, schemas and automatic negative thoughts.

Cognitive distortions (Cognitive errors) are negatively biased errors in thinking that are purported to increase vulnerability to depression or mental illness. Cognitive distortions are error in logical thinking.

If the thought distortions are reinforced often enough due to our habitual thinking, it can lead to an increase in anxiety, depression, and unhealthy relationships.

It is important to recognize that all cognitive distortions are:

a)Habitual patterns of thinking or beliefs

b) False, inaccurate, and often exaggerated thoughts

c) Manifest itself as negative emotions or feelings

d) May increase anxiety and depression, potentially causing psychological damage

Cognitive distortions (Cognitive errors) are negatively biased errors in thinking that are purported to increase vulnerability to depression or mental illness. These cognitive error patterns or habits make us exaggerate or inaccurately perceive reality in an unhealthy way. This can be damaging to our mental health, relationships, and wellbeing.


Cognitive distortions are

a) mindreading (i.e., assuming that others are thinking negatively about oneself),

b) catastrophizing (i.e., making negative predictions about the future based on little or no evidence),

c) all-or-nothing-thinking (i.e., viewing something as either-or, without considering the full spectrum and range of possible evaluations),

d) emotional reasoning (i.e., believing something to be true based on emotional responses rather than objective evidence),

e) labeling (i.e., classifying oneself negatively after the occurrence of an adverse event),
f) mental filtering (i.e., focusing on negative information and devaluing positive information),

g) overgeneralization (i.e., assuming that the occurrence of one negative event means that additional bad things will happen),

h) personalization (i.e., assuming that one is the cause of a negative event),

i) should statements (i.e., thinking that things must or should be a certain way), and

j) minimizing or disqualifying the positive (i.e., ignoring or dismissing positive things that have happened).

Cognitive distortions are

a) mindreading (i.e., assuming that others are thinking negatively about oneself),

b) catastrophizing (i.e., making negative predictions about the future based on little or no evidence),

c) all-or-nothing-thinking (i.e., viewing something as either-or, without considering the full spectrum and range of possible evaluations),

d) emotional reasoning (i.e., believing something to be true based on emotional responses rather than objective evidence),

e) labeling (i.e., classifying oneself negatively after the occurrence of an adverse event),
f) mental filtering (i.e., focusing on negative information and devaluing positive information),

g) overgeneralization (i.e., assuming that the occurrence of one negative event means that additional bad things will happen),

h) personalization (i.e., assuming that one is the cause of a negative event),

i) should statements (i.e., thinking that things must or should be a certain way), and

j) minimizing or disqualifying the positive (i.e., ignoring or dismissing positive things that have happened).

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