Cognitive biases
Finding the "Grey": A Spectrum Grid for All-or-Nothing Thinking
The client evaluates people.
Your client may struggle with dichotomous thinking, where people and events are sorted into rigid categories of “good” or “bad.” This often results in intense, unstable reactions to others and a pattern of idealization followed by devaluation. Talking about nuance in the abstract provides little traction when the client’s core evaluations remain absolute and a more structured intervention is needed.
This directive provides a concrete framework for the client to systematically dismantle a binary judgment. It moves them from a single, rigid label to a more textured and realistic assessment of a person or event. The client leaves with a tangible record of their own reassessment, making it easier to apply this more flexible perspective in the future.
Finding the "Grey": A Spectrum Grid for All-or-Nothing Thinking
Use this grid to examine judgments you make about people, events, or outcomes.
In the first column, name the person or situation. In the second, write your all-or-nothing judgment as a short, absolute statement. Examples: “The project was a total failure,” or “He is completely unreliable.” In the third column, list the specific facts or observations that support this judgment. In the final column, find specific facts, observations, or alternative interpretations that contradict the absolute judgment.
| Person or Situation | All-or-Nothing Judgment | Evidence Supporting | Evidence Contradicting |
|---|---|---|---|
Generated with Rapport7 — rapport7.com