Irrational Thinking Styles – Black and White thinking

Irrational Thinking Styles: Black and White Thinking

Also known as dichotomous thinking, this style of thinking involves seeing things in terms of absolutes or extremes, only as black or white, and ignoring all the greys. Hence people are either good or bad, things are either perfect or disastrous, you are strong or weak, competent or an idiot, etc. The trouble is that the world is rarely black or white, and this sort of thinking leaves no room for mistakes or for just being average, or sometimes good and sometimes bad.
Example: “I can’t believe I said that to my friend. I’m such a bad person.”
Instead try: ” I’m disappointed with myself for saying that to my friend, Ok so it may have been a little harsh but that doesn’t make me a bad person. What can I do to rectify this situation?”



Black and White Thinking

Catastrophizing

Emotional Thinking

The Fairness Fallacy

Mind Reading

Overgeneralizing

Personalizing

Shoulds

Tunnel Vision