It is very normal for us to feel sad, stressed and nervous. Just as it is common to have preconceptions that we think are irrefutable. We discover what the main cognitive distortions are.
Sometimes we get too carried away by our emotions. And worst of all is that sometimes we don’t know how to interpret them. We have the preconceived idea that what we feel becomes a kind of irrefutable reality that has no discussion whatsoever.
As human beings that we are, it is very normal that sometimes we feel sadness, lack of love, anger, stress or rejection. These are emotions that will accompany us until the end of our days. Although on the other hand it is important to know how to interpret them at all times so that they never completely surpass us.
For this reason, we have found it interesting to make the following list with the eight types of cognitive distortions.
The most common cognitive distortions
Overgeneralization
This is one of the most widespread cognitive distortions within society. We have the preconceived idea that a particular fact is already going to become a kind of general rule from now on. A clear example of this is to say: “My ex-boyfriend was horrible to me. If all men are equal”.
Selective abstraction
This is one of the preferred cognitive distortions of pessimists by nature. This is based solely on delving only into the negative aspects of any area in order to reinforce the idea that the person is not valid. “I have taken the first exam and it was fatal. I don’t think I will study anymore because I am not good for this”.
Confirmatory bias
This is something similar to the previous ones. And it is simply based on accepting reality as a belief or thought that you already had previously manufactured in your head. Through the results of our actions, we think that they will become a rule from now on: “My omelette was fatal. If I am not good enough to cook”.
Arbitrary inference
The truth is that we love to make value judgments or make conclusions quickly and directly. However, sometimes we do not realize that there are other factors that can define any person, area or situation. “The first day I met him, he hardly ever related to anyone. I think this boy is an asocial”.
Thought reading
Through this cognitive distortion we tend to take our thoughts and ideas as irrefutable truth. Although I am sure that most of the time we will not have checked: “Nobody looked at me when I made an appearance. I am sure that I am fatal to all of them”.
Fortune Teller’s Error
Those who suffer from this cognitive distortion have a kind of innate ability to divine the future. They tend to take an isolated event in the present that has ended in an adverse way, in order to make sure that they are not worth it as people: “In the end it was fatal for me on the date. Do you see how bad love is always going to go wrong? ».
Personalization
This cognitive distortion tries to define the entire personality of a person, on a particular fact with the aim of turning it into a norm. “The other day Pepito looked at me in a strange way. I’m sure he’s mad at me. So from now on I will move on from him”.
Fallacy of divine reward
This is another of the cognitive distortions that we most often take when we want to change things, but without having to explore our limits or leave our comfort zone. “I’m sick of being unlucky:” I’m going to stop looking for a job and sooner or later I’ll get one. Because that’s impossible.”
