Overgeneralization

Overgeneralization is a cognitive distortion in which a single negative event or experience is interpreted as a persistent pattern affecting all areas of life. It’s commonly seen in anxiety and depression.

Key Points:

• Examples:
  • Failing one test leads to the conclusion, “I always fail at everything.”
  • Rejection from one job application becomes “No one will ever hire me.”
• Effects: Maintains pessimistic thinking, fuels hopelessness, and undermines self-esteem.
• Therapeutic Strategies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps individuals identify and challenge these all-or-nothing beliefs, replacing them with balanced evaluations based on evidence.