Skip to main content

Ten Common Thinking Errors

By Stephen C. Schultz


With the Holiday Season in full swing, I have personally witnessed the kindness in people as well as some pretty disturbing thoughtless actions. Whether it is total strangers or family members over for a meal, the Holidays tend to bring out the best and the worst in those around us.

Why is that? When I see some of the shoppers on “Black Friday”, I would imagine that if I interacted with them in any other setting, they would be personable, kind citizens, neighbors and friends. What happens in that situation? Why do some people get in their car and seem to have a change in personality? Road rage is real.


Here are a few thoughts for what they are worth. Below is a list of...what are called...“Thinking Errors”. These are common, automatic thoughts we have throughout any given day. We may be thinking this way and not even be aware of it. They are specific ways we look at the world around us and usually these types of thoughts lead to conflict of some kind. This list is adapted from Arden & Linford (2009) and Beck (1995).

Common Thinking Errors

  1. Polarization: This is represented by “All or Nothing” thinking. It is also called “Black or White” thinking. It is the common practice of thinking in extremes.
  2. Over-generalization: This is represented by the notion or expectation that just because something has occurred, it will always occur.
  3. Personalization: This is represented by the feeling that you are the center of events. It is the thought that you are to blame for negative things happening. There may also be thoughts that others are unfairly scrutinizing and judging you.
  4. Mind Reading: This is the practice of making assumptions about what others may be thinking. Often we will apply our own thoughts to others before checking in with them about their own thoughts.
  5. Should & Should Not: This type of thinking is holding on to rigid beliefs about what we “Should or Shouldn’t” do. When used in the extreme, it can cause conflict with others as well as bring on feelings of guilt, failure and shame. It can also interfere with the ability to adapt to one's environment.
  6. Catastrophizing: This is simply seeing the problem or issue as more severe and terrible than it really is.
  7. Magnification & Minimization: This way of thinking is represented by magnifying the positive attributes of others and minimizing your own...or vice versa.
  8. Emotional Reasoning: This is the thought process of seeing and interpreting situations in terms of how you are feeling.
  9. Labeling: This is exhibited when we label ourselves or others. We take on the “Identity” of the situation or problem. For example, someone might say, “I’m an asthmatic.” When in reality, they may suffer from asthma, but they are not the malady they are struggling with.
  10. Discounting Positive Experiences: When we find ourselves being involved in something positive, we may discount them as not important or that it didn’t really matter. Appropriate modesty is actually healthy. When taken to the extreme, it becomes a thinking error.
As we look forward to a New Year, may we all become more aware of our Thinking Errors. We will be glad we did and so will our loved ones. Our friendships will deepen and our relationships will flourish as we take an active role in being aware of our thoughts.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Young Boy and the Rattlesnake

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors note: This is a story used in a Wilderness Treatment Program. Many come to this program having struggled with depression, anxiety and substance use.)   Many years ago there was a young Native American who lived in the very land you are residing in. He decided to seek wisdom by journeying to the top of Indian Peak. As he approached the base of the mountain he came across a rattlesnake that slithered beside him. The snake coiled as if to strike and the young boy moved back quickly in fear of being struck by the snake’s deadly venom. At that instant the snake spoke to the boy saying, “Don’t be afraid of me, I mean you no harm. I come to you to ask a favor. I see that you are about to traverse to the top of Indian Peak and was hoping that you may be willing to place me in your satchel so that I don’t have to make the long journey alone.” The young boy surprised by the snake’s request quickly responded by turning down the offer, stating, ...
5 comments
Read more

Holiday Insight: Finding Grace in Imperfect Relationships

 By Stephen C. Schultz As we once again head into the Holiday Season, it is important to be aware of the impact of the holidays on those we love and care about. The holidays are often described as a time of joy, family, and celebration. But for many, they bring a quieter reality - one marked by stress, loneliness, or the resurfacing of painful memories. For some people, the holidays represent connection and renewal. For others, they stir up what has been lost, what never was, or what once hurt too much to recall. The very things that make the season feel special - music, smells, family gatherings - can also awaken deep emotional undercurrents, especially for those with a history of trauma. Why the Holidays Can Trigger Past Trauma Many people who have experienced trauma - especially early childhood or relational trauma - notice that this season brings unexpected emotional intensity. Science now confirms what survivors have long known: certain times of year can activate implicit ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The definition of insanity…the sanity of recovery!

By Stephen C. Schultz We have all heard the old saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting a different result." As I work with teens and families that struggle with a myriad of problems, the one thing that amazes me is the tendency for families to keep thinking and behaving in the same ways and expecting positive changes to take effect. How often do we hope to change our destination in life, but fail to change the route? Here is fun story with a great message! Autobiography in Five Short Chapters By Portia Nelson Chapter One I walk down the street.      There is a deep hole in the sidewalk      I fall in.      I am lost...I am helpless      It is not my fault.      It takes forever to find a way out. Chapter Two I walk down the same street.      There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. ...
Post a Comment
Read more