EXAMPLES OF AUTOMATIC NEGATIVE THOUGHTS (ANTs)
One of the basic assumptions of the cognitive model that underlies much of the
broader positive psychology model is that the way we think about things is
important in determining how we feel. Further, there are times when are
thoughts are unhelpfully negative. Recognising these ANTs is the first step in
learning to change them (see Managing Automatic Negative Thoughts). Here
are some of the more common types of negative thoughts.
(1) Overgeneralisation: Coming to a general conclusion based on a single event
or one piece of evidence. If something bad happens once, you expect it to
happen again and again. Such thoughts often include the words “always”
and “never”.
E.g. I forgot to finish that project on time. I never do things right.
He didn’t want to go out with me. I’ll always be lonely.
(2) Filtering (Selective Abstraction): Concentrating on the negatives while
ignoring the positives. Ignoring important information that contradicts your
(negative) view of the situation.
E.g. I know he [my boss] said most of my submission was great but he also
said there were a number of mistakes that had to be corrected…he must
think I’m really hopeless.
(3) All or Nothing Thinking (Dichotomous Reasoning): Thinking in black and white
terms (e.g., things are right or wrong, good or bad). A tendency to view
things at the extremes with no middle ground.
E.g. I made so many mistakes. If I can’t do it perfectly I might as well not
bother. I won’t be able to get all of this done, so I may as well not start it.
This job is so bad…there’s nothing good about it at all.
(4) Personalising: Taking responsibility for something that’s not your fault. Thinking
that what people say or do is some kind of reaction to you, or is in some way
related to you.
E.g. John’s in a terrible mood. It must have been something I did.
It’s obvious she doesn’t like me, otherwise she would’ve said hello.
(5) Catastrophising: Overestimating the chances of disaster. Expecting
something unbearable or intolerable to happen.
E.g. I’m going to make a fool of myself and people will laugh at me.
What if I haven’t turned the iron off and the house burns down.
If I don’t perform well, I’ll get the sack.
(6) Emotional Reasoning: Mistaking feelings for facts. Negative things you feel
about yourself are held to be true because they feel true.
E.g. I feel like a failure, therefore I am a failure.
I feel ugly, therefore I must be ugly.
I feel hopeless, therefore my situation must be hopeless.
(7) Mind Reading: Making assumptions about other people’s thoughts, feelings
and behaviours without checking the evidence.
E.g. John’s talking to Molly so he must like her more than me.
I could tell he thought I was stupid in the interview.
(8) Fortune Telling Error: Anticipating an outcome and assuming your prediction is
an established fact. These negative expectations can be self-fulfilling:
predicting what we would do on the basis of past behaviour may prevent the
possibility of change.
E.g. I’ve always been like this; I’ll never be able to change.
It’s not going to work out so there’s not much point even trying.
This relationship is sure to fail.
(9) Should Statements: Using “should”, “ought”, or “must” statements can set up
unrealistic expectations of yourself and others. It involves operating by rigid
rules and not allowing for flexibility.
E.g. I shouldn’t get angry.
People should be nice to me all the time.
(10) Magnification/Minimisation: A tendency to exaggerate the importance of
negative information or experiences, while trivialising or reducing the
significance of positive information or experiences.
E.g. He noticed I spilled something on my shirt. I know he said he will go
out with me again, but I bet he doesn’t call.
Supporting my friend when her mother died still doesn’t make up for that
time I got angry at her last year.
NB: The good news is these unhelpful thoughts can be changed. See the
“Managing Unhelpful Thoughts” tip sheet for some ideas about where to start.
And if you think you’d benefit from a more detailed explanation of unhelpful
thinking and how to manage it, consider Dr. Sharp’s “The Happiness Handbook”
as well as The Happiness Institute’s series of happiness workbooks.
www.thehappinessinstitute.com
ph. 02 9221 3306
© Dr. Timothy J Sharp (2002, 2006)
