Which term describes drawing conclusions from an isolated detail of an event?

Which term describes drawing conclusions from an isolated detail of an event?

• A. Aloneness
• B. Selective abstraction
• C. Overgeneralization
• D. Shame-attacking exercises

Answer: (B)

Selective abstraction involves drawing conclusions from a single, isolated detail of an event and treating that fragment as representative of the whole situation. This distortion happens when you ignore broader context and other evidence, letting one small piece of information shape a sweeping belief. For instance, noticing one awkward moment and concluding that you’re wholly incompetent, while overlooking the overall context or your typical performance. That focus on one detail is what makes this term the best fit. Overgeneralization would extend a single incident into a broad rule about yourself or life, not just about one isolated detail. Aloneness isn’t a standard cognitive distortion, and shame-attacking exercises are a therapeutic technique rather than a label for a thinking error.

Selective abstraction involves drawing conclusions from a single, isolated detail of an event and treating that fragment as representative of the whole situation. This distortion happens when you ignore broader context and other evidence, letting one small piece of information shape a sweeping belief. For instance, noticing one awkward moment and concluding that you’re wholly incompetent, while overlooking the overall context or your typical performance. That focus on one detail is what makes this term the best fit. Overgeneralization would extend a single incident into a broad rule about yourself or life, not just about one isolated detail. Aloneness isn’t a standard cognitive distortion, and shame-attacking exercises are a therapeutic technique rather than a label for a thinking error.