Calvin is terribly worried that his college education was wasted when he doesn't get his dream job. Furthermore, Calvin believes he ruined his future when he did poorly in his job interview. Calvin explains, "I had to ace the interview. It had to be perfect, and it wasn't!" How might a cognitive-behavioral psychologist classify this distorted thought process?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Calvin's belief that his entire college education was wasted because he didn't get his dream job and that his future is ruined because of one poor job interview is indicative of all-or-nothing thinking, which is a common cognitive distortion in which individuals view situations or outcomes as either completely good or completely bad, with no room for gray area or nuance.

Calvin Is Terribly Worried That His College Education Was Wasted