List of Thinking Errors

What are thinking errors?

Thinking errors, often known as cognitive distortions, are irrational patterns of thought that can significantly impact mental health by promoting negative thinking and unpleasant feelings.

These distortions, such as all or nothing (black-and-white thinking), mental filtering (focusing on negative aspects while ignoring positive events), emotional reasoning (believing negative feelings reflect reality), mind reading (assuming others' thoughts negatively), and fortune telling (predicting adverse outcomes), are among the most common cognitive distortions.

They twist an individual's perception, casting situations and themselves in an excessively negative light. Such negative thought patterns are linked to emotional disorders and can deteriorate one's mental health. Understanding and addressing these thinking errors is crucial to changing cognitive distortions and fostering a more balanced and positive outlook.

What causes a person to develop thinking errors?

Many factors contribute to developing thinking errors, including past experiences, family member influences, and innate tendencies to pay attention to negative rather than positive experiences. For example, if a person grows up in an environment where a family member consistently models black-and-white thinking, they may learn to adopt similar irrational thoughts themselves.

Additionally, traumatic or highly stressful events can prime the mind to fall into these cognitive distortions more efficiently, focusing on threats and negatives as protective but ultimately maladaptive reasoning.

What problems can thinking errors lead to if left uncorrected?

If left uncorrected, thinking errors can lead to various problems, affecting everything from personal relationships to professional performance and overall mental health. These cognitive distortions can intensify feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress as they perpetuate a cycle of negative thinking that distorts reality.

This skewed perception can lead to poor decision-making, difficulties in interpersonal relationships (stemming from miscommunications and incorrect assumptions about others' intentions), and even contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health disorders.

15 common thinking errors and examples

Here are some common thinking errors and examples:

1. All or nothing thinking (black and white thinking)

This type of thinking involves seeing things in only two categories instead of on a continuum. It's a form of polarized thinking without a middle ground, leading to extreme focus on successes or failures.

Sample statements include:

• "I'm a complete failure if I'm not perfect at this task."
• "If I can't do it perfectly, there's no point in doing it at all."
• "You're either with me or against me."

2. Overgeneralization

Clients see a single adverse event as a never-ending pattern of defeat, using words like "always" or "never" when thinking about it. For example, being turned down after a job interview and thinking, "I'll never get a job." Other sample statements are:

• "I always mess things up."
• "No one ever listens to me."

3. Mental filter

Focusing on a single negative detail and dwelling on it darkens your vision of reality, like dropping black ink in a glass of water. For instance, receiving many positive comments and one negative one, but only remembering the negative. Other sample statements are:

• "I messed up that one answer; the whole interview was a disaster."
• "He didn't smile at me once, so he must hate me."

4. Disqualifying the positive

Rejecting positive experiences by insisting they "don't count" for some reason, thus maintaining a negative belief contradicting everyday experiences. For example, rushing off compliments about work by saying anyone could have done it. Other sample statements are:

• "That test I aced? It was just easy. It doesn't mean I'm smart."
• "They're just being nice to me because they want something."

5. Jumping to conclusions

Interpreting things negatively without facts to support the conclusion, either through mind reading (assuming people are reacting negatively) or fortune-telling (predicting things will turn out badly). For instance, assuming a friend didn't return a call because they're mad at the individual.

Here are other sample statements:

• "I know they'll hate my presentation, even though I haven't given it yet."
• "He didn't immediately respond to my message, so he must be ignoring me."

6. Magnification (catastrophizing) or minimization

Exaggerating the importance of problems or minimizing the importance of one's desirable qualities, like blowing things out of proportion or shrinking their significance inappropriately. For instance, an individual tripping over in public and believing everyone thinks they're clumsy. Other sample statements are:

• "This tiny mistake will ruin the entire project."
• "It's only a small achievement. It doesn't mean anything."

7. Emotional reasoning

Believing that the way one feels reflects reality ("I feel it, therefore it must be true"). This can lead to feeling inadequate without any evidence. For example, a patient feels like a bad friend because they're feeling down. Other sample statements are:

• "I feel guilty, so I must be terrible."
• "I'm anxious about the meeting, so something bad will happen."

8. Should statements

Telling oneself that things should be how they hoped or expected them to be often leads to guilt and frustration. This can involve other people, leading to anger and resentment. For one, a patient feeling angry because a friend should have known they needed support. Here are other sample statements:

• "I should never make mistakes."
• "They should have known how I feel without me saying anything."

9. Labeling and mislabeling

An extreme form of overgeneralization. Instead of describing an error in context, individuals attach a negative label to themselves or others. For example, they forget to send an email and conclude they're a "loser" or "failure." Other sample statements are:

• "I'm such an idiot for not getting that right."
• "He's a total jerk for not calling back."

10. Personalization

Blaming oneself for something not entirely within one's control often ignores other factors, including the actions of others or external circumstances. For one, a client believing a friend's moodiness is their fault. Other sample statements are:

• "It's my fault my parents argue so much."
• "If I were a better partner, they wouldn't act this way."

11. Control fallacies

Believing an individual has no control over their life or, conversely, that they have complete control over themselves and others leads to feeling inadequate when things don't go as planned. This is like feeling responsible for one's partner's happiness and blaming oneself when they're upset. Other sample statements are:

• "If anything bad happens, it's because I didn't manage it well enough."
• "I can't do anything right; everything is out of my control."

12. Fallacy of fairness

Believing life should always be fair and using this belief to assess life's events. When fairness is not observed, it leads to feelings of resentment and bitterness. For one, feeling resentful because one works harder than a colleague but receives the same recognition. Other sample statements are:

• "It's not fair that I have to work late while others don't."
• "Life has always been unfair to me."

13. Blaming

Holding other people responsible for emotional pain, or conversely, blaming oneself for every problem or setback. For example, blaming the spouse for unhappiness in the marriage. Other sample statements are:

• "You make me feel bad about myself!"
• "Everything is my fault, isn't it?"

14. Heaven's reward fallacy

Expecting all sacrifice and self-denial to pay off as if there were someone keeping score leads to feelings of bitterness when the reward does not come. For instance, believing relentless hard work will lead to recognition and success. Other sample statements are:

• "After all I've done, I deserve a better outcome."
• "No good deed goes unpunished, I guess."

15. Always being right

This cognitive distortion involves putting oneself in a position where one must prove that one's opinions and actions are correct, which leads to defensiveness and avoid admitting fault. Arguing relentlessly to prove a point and disregarding others' feelings or opinions is an example. Other sample statements are:

• "I can't be wrong about this; I just can't."
• "There's no way I misunderstood what you said."

These 15 most common thinking errors can significantly impact mental well-being and relationships. Recognizing and challenging these distorted thoughts through strategies like cognitive-behavioral therapy can lead to more positive outcomes and healthier ways of interpreting the world around us.

Examples of skills that can combat thinking errors

In combating thinking errors, specific skills are powerful tools for reshaping a client's mental landscape. These skills, ranging from mindfulness to self-compassion, offer practical ways to interrupt and correct the distorted thought patterns that often lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. By learning to identify, challenge, and replace irrational beliefs with more balanced and realistic thinking, individuals can foster resilience, enhance emotional well-being, and improve their overall quality of life.

The following explores seven key skills that can help individuals move from cognitive distortions to a healthier mindset, providing both understanding and actionable strategies for personal growth and mental health improvement.

1. Mindfulness

Mindfulness involves being fully present and engaged at the moment, observing thoughts and feelings without judgment. This skill helps individuals recognize when they are falling into cognitive distortions and allows them to observe these thoughts as mental events rather than truths about reality.

Daily mindfulness exercises, such as focused breathing or mindful walking, enhance the ability to notice and detach from distorted thoughts and can help individuals practice this.

2. Cognitive restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a core cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) technique that involves identifying irrational thoughts and challenging their accuracy. Individuals can develop more balanced perspectives by examining evidence for and against these thoughts.

To utilize cognitive restructuring, have clients write down negative thoughts and list evidence that supports and contradicts them. This process helps in developing more rational, balanced thoughts.

3. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills enable individuals to approach challenges or stressors more constructively rather than getting overwhelmed. This skill can counteract distortions like catastrophizing by focusing on finding solutions.

Breaking down a problem into manageable steps, brainstorming potential solutions, and evaluating and implementing them can help people enhance their problem-solving skills.

4. Emotional regulation

Emotional regulation involves understanding and managing emotions to respond to situations in a balanced and effective way. This skill can help combat emotional reasoning by recognizing that emotions do not always reflect reality.

Individuals can use techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization to manage intense emotions before acting on them.

5. Assertiveness training

Assertiveness training helps individuals express their thoughts, feelings, and needs directly and respectfully. It can counteract thinking errors related to interpersonal interactions, such as mind reading and personalization.

To train clients to be more assertive, have them practice stating their needs and feelings when they might generally remain silent or agree to things against their wishes.

6. Gratitude journaling

Gratitude journaling involves regularly writing down things for which individuals are thankful. This practice can shift focus from negative biases (mental filters) and help recognize the positive aspects of life.

To do this, prompt clients to write down three things they are grateful for, focusing on the details and their feelings about them.

7. Self-compassion exercises

Self-compassion entails treating yourself with the same kindness, concern, and support one would offer a good friend. It can be particularly effective against self-directed distortions like labeling and mislabeling.

When clients notice self-criticism, ask them if they would say this to a friend. If not, how would they compassionately respond to a friend in their situation? Encourage them to apply this compassionate response to themselves.

By developing and practicing these skills, individuals can better navigate their thoughts, feelings, and reactions, leading to a healthier mental state and improved overall well-being.

FAQs about thinking errors

What are thinking errors, and why do they matter?

Thinking errors, also known as cognitive distortions, are irrational patterns of thought that can lead to negative emotions, behaviors, and overall mental health issues. They matter because they can distort reality, impact decision-making, and hinder personal growth. Recognizing and correcting these errors through cognitive therapies can significantly improve one's quality of life and mental well-being.

Can thinking errors be corrected, and how?

Yes, thinking errors can be corrected. The most common way to address these errors is through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and related cognitive therapies. These approaches involve identifying distorted thoughts, challenging their validity, and replacing them with more realistic and balanced perspectives. Skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and cognitive restructuring are key components of this process.

How does therapy software like Carepatron assist in treating thinking errors?

Carepatron assists in treating thinking errors by providing therapists with a comprehensive platform to manage client care efficiently. It supports the documentation of sessions, tracking of progress, and communication between therapists and clients. This enables therapists to quickly identify patterns in thinking errors and tailor interventions more effectively, leading to improved outcomes in mood therapy and other cognitive therapeutic approaches.