RATIONAL Vrs.

IRRATIONAL THINKING

Albert Ellis

IRRATIONAL THINKING RATIONAL THINKING

1. Emotional Reasoning
What you think or do is determined Think and act according to facts - be responsible
by how you feel. and accountable.

2. Catastrophic Thinking
Mistakes of self and others are Accept self and others as humans who
blown out of proportion. makes mistakes. Identify what can be
learned from the mistake.

3. Absolute Thinking
Belief that people and events should Be flexible about the outcome of events
ought, and must always match your and the expectations of self and others.
standards. Live by, "it would be nice to ______, but
it is not necessary for my happiness."

4. Labeling
Label self and others with negative terms. Refer to self and others with positive
names only. Encourage and build up.

5. Invalid Ownership
Assuming responsibility that is not yours. Assume accountability and responsibility
for what you can control.

6. Black and White Thinking

Life is all or nothing. If I can't Be the best you can be.
be the best I will not try.

7. Rejecting the Positive

Focus is on negative comments or Focus on the positive. Realize that
events and failing to see the positive. positives far out number negatives.

8. Over Generalize
An event occurs once and you believe Just because it occurred this time doesn't
it will occur every time. mean it will occur every time.

9. Jump to Conclusions
React: draw a conclusions without Respond: be objective, operate on facts.
sufficient knowledge or facts.

10. Mind Reading

Determine what others think, feel and want Ask questions to determine what others are
without asking. thinking, feeling, and wanting before acting.

© 1988, 2008, 2012 John T. Cocoris Th.M., Psy.D. • All rights reserved. • www.fourtemperaments.com