U.S. Department of Justice

15 Common Cognitive Distortions

Publication year: 2011 | Cataloged on: Jun. 13, 2012

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  • 025988

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  • 2011
  • 3 pages

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Thumbnail preview ANNOTATION: Common cognitive distortions that are found in the general and offender populations are described. “Cognitive distortions are simply ways that our mind convinces us of something that isn’t really true. These inaccurate thoughts are usually used to reinforce negative thinking or emotions — telling ourselves things that sound rational and accurate, but really only serve to keep us feeling bad about ourselves” (p. 1). Addressing these perceptions can help in changing offender behaviors so they can be more successful in the community. These are filtering, polarized thinking (it’s black or white), overgeneralization, jumping to conclusions, catastrophizing, personalization, control fallacies, fallacy of fairness, blaming, should, emotional reasoning, fallacy of change, global labeling, always being right, and heaven’s reward fallacy.
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