Cognitive biases
Log for Contradictory Evidence Against an Overgeneralization
This log directs a client to actively collect and record specific experiences that disprove a.
When a client is governed by a sweeping negative belief, like “I always mess things up” or “Nobody ever listens to me”, in-session challenges often fall flat. The belief itself acts as a filter, highlighting confirming instances while erasing contradictory ones from memory. This makes the overgeneralization feel less like a thought and more like an absolute truth.
This log directs the client to consciously gather disconfirming data throughout their week, building a record of specific moments that run counter to the rule. Instead of debating a feeling, your next session can begin by reviewing a concrete list of exceptions. The client arrives with tangible proof that their negative certainty isn’t nearly as solid as it seems.
Log for Contradictory Evidence Against an Overgeneralization
The Overgeneralization I am Testing: ____________________________________________________________________
State the overgeneralization you are testing on the line above. This is a broad, absolute belief, such as ‘I fail at everything I try’ or ‘No one is trustworthy.’
Over the next week, your task is to act as a collector of evidence. Specifically, you will look for and record any event, however small, that contradicts your stated belief. Use the log to note the date, the specific situation, and the factual observation that did not fit the general rule. Stick to the details of what occurred.
| Date | Situation | Contradictory Observation |
|---|---|---|
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