8 Thinking Traps

Question 1

What is Overgeneralizing?

Answer 1

Thinking that a negative situation is part of a constant cycle of bad things that happen. People who overgeneralize often use words like “always” or “never.”

Question 2

What is Black and White Thinking?

Answer 2

Seeing things as only right or wrong, good or bad, perfect or terrible. People who think in black and white terms see a small mistake as a total failure.

Question 3

What is Fortune Telling?

Answer 3

Predicting that something bad will happen, without any evidence.

Question 4

What is Emotional Reasoning?

Answer 4

Believing that bad feelings or emotions reflect the situation.

Question 5

What is Labeling?

Answer 5

Saying only negative things about yourself or other people.

Question 6

What is a “Should” Statement?

Answer 6

Telling yourself how you “should” or “must” act.

Question 7

What is Mind Reading?

Answer 7

Jumping to conclusions about what others are thinking, without any evidence.

Question 8

What is a Mental Filler?

Answer 8

Focusing only on the negative parts of a situation and ignoring anything good or positive.