Chapter 15, Problem 10TY

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Cognitive therapy is the therapy in which the focus in on distortions of thinking, and replacing distorted or unrealistic beliefs with more realistic and helpful thoughts. Cognitive therapy includes certain distortions such as arbitrary inference, selective thinking, overgeneralization, and personalization.

Answer to Problem 10TY

Correct answer:

Stephen has engaged in the arbitrary inference. Therefore, option a. is correct.

Option a. is given as “arbitrary inference”.

Explanation of Solution

Reasons for the correct statement:

Arbitrary inference refers to “jumping to conclusion” without having any evidences. Arbitrary means decide something on the basis of personal beliefs. In this case, the Stephen assumed that his girlfriend seeing someone else at work, without having any evidence he jumps to the conclusion that his girlfriend seeing someone else. Thus, Stephan has an distortion thinking called arbitrary inference.

Hence, option a. is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option b. is given as “selective thinking”.

In selective thinking, a person only seeing one aspect of a situation, leaving out other relevant facts that might make things seems less negative. The given case is not matched with the option because Stephan directly jumps to the conclusion without even seeing a single aspect. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option c. is given as “overgeneralization”.

In overgeneralization, the person elicits a sweeping conclusion from one incident and then assumes that the conclusion applies to areas of life that have nothing to do with the original event. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option d. is given as “personalization”

In personalization, a person takes the blame or responsibilities for an incident or event that are not really associated with the person. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options b., c., and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Stephen has engaged to the arbitrary inference because he directly humps to conclusion that his girlfriend seeing someone else at work, without having any proof.