Running head: FINAL GROUP PROJECT

Running head: FINAL GROUP PROJECT

Phase 3 Group Project Colorado Technical University Online CJUS343-1104A-01: Criminology Professor Stacy Haug Christopher B. Lane

Running head: FINAL GROUP PROJECT

Cognitive distortion The first question you may be asking yourself. What are Cognitive Distortions? According to the author, Nancy Schimelpfening says Cognitive Distortions has 10 common cognitive distortions and they are: All or nothing thinking, over generalization, mental filter, disqualifying the positive, jumping to conclusions, magnification and minimization, emotional reasoning, should statements, labeling and mislabeling, and personalization (Schimelpfening, 2011). The author, Nancy Schimelpfening states, this concept would be the guiding principle behind cognitive therapy, a type of psychotherapy was developed by a Psychiatrist by the name of Aaron T. Beck, which was in the 1960s (Schimelpfening, 2011). If a person would think of something often enough, as we begin to believe its true and our feelings could match on what we may be thinking about ourselves, the ultimate goal would be to conquer the depression, and we must stop those with automatic negative thoughts, and to replace them with a more positive, and truthful ones (Schimelpfening, 2011). If a person can recognize any of these behaviors of the person, then you are nearly half the way there (Schimelpfening, 2011).The person(s) will attempt to practice their automatic responses, which, will enable someone to get a grasp on the cognitive distortion factor; in return will help the individual to come up with coping skills (Schimelpfening, 2011). Another way to look at this, a person should give the person the benefit, were there may be doubt (Schimelpfening, 2011). Finally, since, we have learned a lot about the 10 common cognitive distortion related factors, and now, we will talk about ways to help with this. When you feel something that is overwhelming; something you may want to consider, and that is try this, and see what you come up with. Break the task down into smaller task, in order to accomplish your goals

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(Schimelpfening, 2011). When someone tries to put their selves down, they may want to consider a different approach, and that would be to think positive about it, and keep telling them they are stronger than that (Schimelpfening, 2011). What exemplifies the person from keeping the stress roller coaster is what in my mind is referred as; when they can come up with ways to address this issue, then, they will be able to handle any stress that comes in their life (Jones, 1989). It is a life learning lesson for us all. On the other hand, it appears, Cognitive Restructuring, and Cognitive Distortion, works hand and hand. You may be asking yourself, how it goes hand and hand. Let us closely look how it goes hand and hand. Firstly, this is my hypothesis on the two words, and how they work together, without further delay. If you break down the two words, starting with the first one, Cognitive Distortion the word Cognitive means; it is the mind. Then the distortion factor; it is my understanding the term distortion, a persons mind is clouded up, and cannot think for themselves, efficiently (Friedman, H., S., Schustack, Miriam, W., 2006) (Schimelpfening, 2011). Cognitive Restructuring is when the person uses their mind to rebuild that negativity in their mind, into something more positive, then, in return, they will be able to handle the situation, efficiently (Dombeck, M., Wells-Moran, J., 2006) (Friedman, H., S., Schustack, Miriam, W., 2006) (Jones, 1989). How we deal with these on daily basis, will ultimately help us, instead of deter us. This approach can help anyone to think clearly before they let their mind get out of control. The group mates in this group project have detailed on what it means to have Cognitive Distortion, and Cognitive Restructuring, and what we day, will play an intricate role in how we deal with it. Each discussion has merit, and it is recognizable, and their expressed views on how each one

Running head: FINAL GROUP PROJECT

of these two terms means, and how they can be applied. Each situation brings a different approach, but the same principles are applied, to come up a solution to those problems.

Scenario This is a scenario of someone that has been troubled with cognitive distortion. This person that comes to my mind has always put them self-down, and not taking into consideration that they are not worth anything at all. Advice: Explain to that person they are special in their own way, and not to think that way. If we assert some positive thinking into someones mind, then, it could have a lasting impression on them, because they are getting an outside point of view. We all suffer from Cognitive Distortion in some sort of way, it is up to everyone to help that person who needs help in this particular, and it could be that the person never had someone, like as a role model, to give them positive feedback, and they have always accepted themselves as a negative person. We can play an intricate part in helping someone, if we take the time to do so.

In closing, we (as a group) have come up with extensive research that backs our theories, and beliefs, on how we perceive the material. There are troubled times that we all have to face, some of it, can be good or bad. It is how we applied these techniques is outline in the groups paper, is how we deal with efficiently.

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References Dombeck, M., Wells-Moran, J. (2006). Applying Learning Principles to Thought: Cognitive Restructuring. Mental Health.net, retrieved from: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=9746&cn=353 October 24, 2011 Friedman, H., S., Schustack, Miriam, W. (2006). Personality Classic Theories and Modern Research. Personality Research, retrieved from: http/www.personalityresearch.org/courses/B15/note October 24, 2011 Jones, J., W. (1989). Personality and Epistemology: Cognitive social learning theory as a philosophy of science. Pearson Prentice Hall Publisher. Boston, Massachusetts. Vol. 24. (1), retrieved on: October 24, 2011 Schimelpfening, N. (2011). What are Cognitive Distortions? About.com, retrieved from: http://depression.about.com/cs/psychotherapy/a/cognitive.htm October 24, 2011