Reciprocal inhibition is the process by which a positive mental factor overpowers and replaces its opposite negative mental factor in a person's mental state.

Reciprocal Inhibition

For every negative mental factor, there is a corresponding positive mental factor that can dominate it. When a positive mental factor is present in a person's mind, the opposite negative factor cannot occupy their mind.

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Positive mental factors are mental factors that are beneficial to the individual.

Positive Mental Factors

Negative mental factors are those that distort a person's reality in a way that makes them less calm and more imbalanced.

Negative Mental Factors

Fabrizio, D. (ed.). (2009). Clinical handbook of mindfulness. Springer. 

Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness

Relationship Between Positive and Negative Mental Factors

Negative mental factors can lead a person to experience intense distress. For example, aversion can lead to envy and contempt, whereas attachment can lead to dependency.

The Impact of Negative Mental Factors on the Individual

Rumination happens when a person spends a significant amount of time thinking and worrying about a problem. The thought that is ruminated feeds itself continuously, so the person becomes stuck in a constant cycle of worry that eventually distorts their perception of the reality of the situation.

Rumination

There are three basic negative mental factors:

- Illusion/ignorance
- Attachment/desire
- Aversion/hostility

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