cognitive distortion

cognitive distortion, in psychology, a habitual pattern of inaccurate or biased thinking that leads an individual to interpret situations, experiences, or relationships in ways that are inconsistent with available evidence. Cognitive distortions are common in everyday life and do not, by themselves, indicate the presence of a mental disorder. However, when such patterns become frequent, rigid, and self-reinforcing, they can contribute to emotional distress and play an important role in the onset and continuation of...