Fortune Telling
The information handout describes the fortune telling cognitive distortion, whereby people predict that certain things are likely to happen without considering other, more likely outcomes.
Fortune Telling
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) suggests that our thoughts influence how we feel and how we act. However, some of our thoughts can be biased. Recognizing these ‘cognitive distortions’ or ‘unhelpful thinking styles’ can help you judge how accurate and useful your automatic thoughts are. This tool will introduce you to a common distortion called fortune telling.
Overview
Cognitive distortions, also known as cognitive biases or "unhelpful thinking styles," refer to the specific ways in which our thoughts can become biased (Beck, 1963). One such distortion is "fortune telling," where individuals predict that certain events are likely to happen without considering other, more probable outcomes (Beck, 1995). This distortion can manifest as either positive fortune telling, where someone anticipates future events more optimistically than reality would suggest, or negative fortune telling, where they predict future events negatively, such as fearing danger or failure (Burns, 2020). The Fortune Telling information handout is part of a series on cognitive distortions, aimed at helping clients and therapists work more effectively with common thinking biases.
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