The Jedi mind tricks may be best left for Star Wars, but ask any Psychology student and they’ll tell you there are many aspects that you can use to your advantage.
These are definitely worth knowing which is why we’ve decided to share them with you.
Confirmation Bias
A cognitive bias is an error of thinking and we all make them. We tend to search for confirmation that our existing beliefs are true and ignore evidence that suggests otherwise. Information against our beliefs may be overlooked or rationalised as an exception to our rule.
For example, someone who believes they’re not good at maths may only focus on the errors they’ve made. Whilst ignoring the ‘B’ grade they received last week.
Being aware of these biases can help you to avoid errors in judgment and formulate fairer opinions. It also enables you to predict errors that others might make.
Schema
Schema are patterns of thoughts, emotions and behaviours that we tend to repeat. They can be thought of as an interlinking circle. Where thinking in a certain way, activates certain emotions and causes you to behave in a particular way.
For example, believing that someone doesn’t like you can distort your perception of what they think of you. It automatically makes you feel rejected and may lead you to behave as though you need to please them or avoid them.
In reality, they may like you very much or may not know you well. But the cycle of schema runs continuously, making it less likely for you to find out the truth. However, this can be achieved by standing back and looking at the situation from all sides. One technique that can help you do this is CBT.
CBT
CBT or ‘cognitive behavioral therapy’ is the art of being aware of your own thoughts and learning to alter them where necessary. Our thoughts are powerful and can influence our mood dramatically. This is the key to changing your own behavior and that of others!
If we all stand around a circular table and look at an object, we’ll all have different representations of what this object looks like in our minds. Everyone will have a slightly different perspective. Sometimes our confirmation biases can run a little out of control. Making it so that we can only see situations in a certain light.
CBT trains us to be able to see the situations we are in and that have happened to us differently. This lets us have an overall fairer view rather than getting stuck down a singular path.
For example a common argument between a mother and her teenage daughter is over the cleaning of her bedroom:
On the one hand the mother is looking out for the daughter’s wellbeing, she’s tired, wants their home to be a nice, happy place to live and wants her wishes to be respected by her children.
Whilst her daughter may feel that she wants her own space and independence. She may feel her mothers actions reflect that her desires are not being listened to and wishes to respected as an equal.
Being able to see the situation from both sides makes a heated argument less likely. Both parties simply want to feel listened to. Being open to multiple viewpoints can stop emotions from running away with the situation.
If you feel your trains of thought tend to run down the same path, get in touch with Birmingham Counselling Services now at: https://birminghamcounsellingservices.co.uk/