Cognitive Restructuring: Socratic Questioning

Upsetting or challenging situations can cause us to make assumptions that cause us to get down on
ourselves. When we make negative assumptions about situations, we reinforce the habit of seeing
ourselves and the world through a negative lens.
It is important to challenge negative assumptions by thinking from different avenues of logic. Socratic
questioning helps us consider the circumstances outside of ourselves that may have influenced situations
that we initially thought were a reflection of us.
Directions: Answer the questions below by using Socratic Questioning.

Situation:

Assumption:

Why are you coming to this assumption?

What evidence supports the assumption?

You may be seeing the situation from one angle. What are other angles of the situation you can be
considering?

There may be other factors affecting the situation. What other factors or circumstances could have
affected the situation that are outside of your influence or control?

You may be taking the actions and words of others personally. Is it possible that the actions or
words were not of a personal nature about you?

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