A client states: “My husband didn’t call me today. He must be having an affair.” Which of the following cognitive distortions is the client exhibiting?
Arbitrary inference
Selective abstraction
Magnification
Minimization
The Correct Answer is A
Arbitrary inference is a cognitive distortion where a conclusion is drawn without evidence or in the absence of sufficient facts. It reflects irrational assumptions, often seen in anxiety and depressive disorders. The mind fills in gaps with negative beliefs not supported by reality.
Rationale for correct answers
A. Jumping to conclusions without facts is the hallmark of arbitrary inference, evident in assuming infidelity without proof.
Rationale for incorrect answers
B. Selective abstraction focuses on one detail, not unfounded assumptions.
C. Magnification exaggerates importance, but the issue here is the leap in logic.
D. Minimization downplays positive events or achievements, which is not the case.
Take Home Points
- Arbitrary inference is making assumptions without facts.
- It's common in paranoid or anxious thinking.
- Cognitive therapy addresses these thought errors directly.
- Recognizing faulty conclusions improves emotional regulation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Operant conditioning reinforces behaviors through consequences. In positive reinforcement, a desirable behavior is followed by a reward to increase recurrence. This is commonly used in treating substance use disorders, where praise or tangible rewards encourage sobriety.
Rationale for correct answers
B. Behavioral reinforcement through praise encourages continued abstinence, increasing desired behavior frequency.
Rationale for incorrect answers
A. Administering consequences is punishment, not positive reinforcement.
C. Taking away privileges is negative punishment.
D. Ignoring behavior is extinction, not reinforcement.
Take Home Points
- Positive reinforcement encourages repeated behavior.
- Praise for sobriety is effective in addiction recovery.
- Operant conditioning is foundational in behavior therapy.
- Reinforcement must be timely and meaningful.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
All-or-nothing thinking is a cognitive distortion where experiences are viewed in extremes, such as complete failure or success, with no middle ground. It’s common in depression and leads to overgeneralized self-judgment and emotional distress, often fueling low self-esteem and hopelessness.
Rationale for correct answers
A. Extreme thinking and lack of nuance indicate all-or-nothing patterns, evident in the client’s total self-rejection.
Rationale for incorrect answers
B. Overgeneralization involves drawing broad conclusions from one event, not labeling the entire self as a failure.
C. Catastrophizing imagines worst-case scenarios, not polar extremes.
D. Personalization blames self for unrelated external events.
Take Home Points
- All-or-nothing thinking exaggerates failure or success.
- It contributes to low self-worth and depression.
- Recognizing this pattern is crucial in cognitive therapy.
- Thought reframing helps restore realistic self-appraisal.
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