Thinking Errors

THINKING ERRORS:

Thinking errors are when you think and believe things which have no basis in reality.

In other words, your thinking is not accurate about events, ourselves, or others.

Everyone occasionally thinks, feels or acts in distorted ways.

Different Terms for Thinking Errors

Criminal Self-Talk

Irrational Beliefs

Cognitive Distortions

Criminal Thinking Errors

Everyone Uses Thinking Errors at

One Time or Another “Everyone was speeding,

officer.”

“I work hard. I deserve to fake a sick day.”

“I had a bad day. She should have known that would make me mad.”

Thinking Errors

Become A Problem When

You use them to make hurtful actions seem

okay and right in your own mind

You use them to avoid taking full responsibility for yourself and your

actions

You use them to avoid looking at how you violate other peoples’

rights in order to get what you want or think you need

You use them to avoid looking at

the negative impact your

behavior has on other people

You use them almost all of the

time– Your main style of thinking is distorted and flawed in order to avoid accepting

responsibility

Thinking Errors Are Used To Feel Power

And Control The need to not feel

powerless and to feel that we are okay is a very human need.

However, when you try to meet these needs by acting self-empowered you ignore the rights and needs of others or try to control them.

These feelings of control or power are only TEMPORARY because you must

continue to violate other people’s rights to gain these feelings. Then you must continue to use thinking errors to

justify your actions and avoid taking

responsibility.

Good feelings about ourselves, our personal power, and self control in our own lives come from:

– Accepting responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

– Being honest with ourselves and others

– Respecting the needs and rights of other people

How do we take full responsibility for our

thoughts and behaviors?

1. Recognize Truth

2. Acknowledge It

3. Accept It

Tell Yourself: I have the ability and am capable of

making positive decisions and choices My behavior is my decision and my

choice I own both the positive and negative

consequences of my behaviors The reality is that my behavior hurts

others I will check out what others feel or think

about my actions I can find ways to change my behavior

in order to meet my needs without hurting others

Thinking Errors

This training presentation is available for download at:

www.utahparenting.org

© 2007 Utah Youth Village.