Overgeneralization is a cognitive distortion where a person takes a single negative event and turns it into a universal pattern, making it seem much larger than it is. For example, after being turned down by one person, an individual might overgeneralize by thinking, 'I am ugly, a loser, and no one is ever going to be interested in me,' instead of viewing it as an isolated incident.

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Cognitive distortions are specific, maladaptive, and automatic patterns of thinking where an individual misinterprets a situation, often leading to emotional distress. A primary goal in cognitive-behavioral therapy is to identify and challenge these errors in thinking. Common examples of cognitive distortions include all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and jumping to conclusions.

Cognitive Distortions

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Examples of cognitive distortions include overgeneralization and catastrophizing. Overgeneralization occurs when a person draws a broad, negative conclusion based on a single event, such as feeling worthless after failing one test. Catastrophizing, or blowing things out of proportion, involves expecting the worst possible outcome from a situation, like assuming that failing one test will lead to failing the entire course and dropping out of college.

Examples of Cognitive Distortions

Overgeneralization

All-or-nothing thinking is a cognitive distortion, frequently observed in individuals with depression, that involves viewing situations in absolute, black-or-white terms. This thinking pattern disregards nuance, categorizing experiences as either entirely good or entirely bad, without acknowledging any middle ground.

All-or-Nothing Thinking

Jumping to conclusions is a cognitive distortion characterized by assuming that others are thinking or reacting negatively towards you, despite a lack of supporting evidence for this belief.

Jumping to Conclusions

Read the scenario below. Analyze the individual's thought process, explaining how their interpretation of the situation represents a maladaptive thinking pattern and how this pattern likely contributes to their emotional distress.

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