AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Overgeneralization Examples We may, for example, predict the outcome of something based on just one instance of it: After going on a job interview and finding out we didn’t get the job, we conclude we’ll never get a job (overgeneralizing) and feel hopeless about our career, leading to sadness and depression.

Detailed explanation-2: -“I feel so foolish when I stutter, therefore I am foolish.” Someone feels that there are rules about how they and others should behave. “I should always be able to talk fluently on the phone and when I read.” Someone describes a mistake or overgeneralizes in an emotional way.

Detailed explanation-3: -Overgeneralization is a type of cognitive distortion where a person applies something from one event to all other events. 1 This happens regardless of whether those events are circumstances are comparable. Overgeneralization frequently affects people with depression or anxiety disorders.

Detailed explanation-4: -These types of thoughts fall into the category of overthinking, which can usually be described as negative thinking patterns or cognitive distortions. If any of these patterns describe you, you’re not alone.