Cognitive biases
Describing Behavior vs. Applying a Global Label (Labeling)
This task has a client replace a negative label (e.g.; "I'm a failure") with a specific behavioral.
Your client may present with a global, negative self-assessment following a setback. A missed deadline becomes “I’m a failure,” or a social misstep becomes “I’m unlikable.” This kind of labeling collapses a specific, temporary action into a permanent, unchangeable identity, making any constructive conversation difficult.
This task provides a concrete method for separating the person from the problem. It reframes the critical self-judgment as an observable event, distinct from the client’s overall character. This shift creates the necessary distance for objective analysis and targeted problem-solving.
Describing Behavior vs. Applying a Global Label (Labeling)
Over the next week, notice when you apply a negative global label to yourself. A global label is a totalizing judgment, such as “I am incompetent” or “I am a failure.”
When you catch yourself using one, identify the specific, observable behavior that triggered it. A specific behavior is a concrete action, such as “I made a calculation error” or “I did not finish the report on time.”
Use the table below to separate the label from the behavior. In the first column, write the label you used. In the second column, write a factual description of the behavior.
| Global Label | Specific Behavior |
|---|---|
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