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Constructive thinking: (the more of this, the better you cope)
Emotional coping: I don't worry about little things or the past; I
don't demand perfection; I accentuate the positive most of the
time; I avoid the "blame game;" I realize "you can't win them
all," etc.
Behavioral coping: I do something when I'm unhappy; I see
problems as challenges; I accept that unpleasant jobs have to
be done; I cheer myself on rather than criticize myself; I
carefully think through how to handle most problems; I handle
things pretty well most of the time, etc.
Destructive thinking: (the less of this, the better you cope)
Categorical thinking: I feel people are either for you or against
you; if someone does something wrong, they should be
punished; I am quick to judge people; I usually believe I know
the right way to do something; people are either good or bad.
Superstitious thinking: Wishing for something or talking about it
keeps it from happening; it seems like a string of good luck is
followed by bad luck; there are good and bad omens; some
people just have bad luck; I don't walk on cracks or under
ladders or across a black cat's path.
Mystical thinking: I think there are ghosts and spirits; I believe
in my good luck charm; some people can predict the future and
some can read minds; my astrology sign is pretty accurate;
occultism scares me; the future is more determined more by
spiritual forces than by humans.
Unwarranted optimism: If you have enough willpower, you can
do anything; everyone should love their parents; after a
success, I feel I can do anything; religious people can be
depended on; I think good things will happen to me if I am
good; my family calls me a lucky person, so I will do well in life.
You can estimate how you would do on Epstein's tests designed to
predict success in living. The subtests may reveal weaknesses you
need to change. Obviously, some of the constructive thinking comes
from the rational mind and some from the experience-based mind; this
includes relaxing, planning, being positive and active. The destructive
thinking comes mostly from the intuitive (experiential) mind; this
includes over-simplifying, inflexibility, being judgmental, believing in
fate, luck, and superstitions, believing in mystical forces and psychic
powers, and a vague belief that things will turn out wonderful. Wonder
why beliefs in luck, superstitions, and spiritual-mystical-psychic
powers are associated with poor coping? Perhaps because these people
depend on outside forces to solve their problems, rather than
depending on their own constructive thinking.
STEP THREE: Use good reasoning to make your own good
decisions or arguments.
