Global Thinking and Nominalizations

Global thinking and nominalizations are two common thought patterns that can contribute to negative emotions and hinder personal growth. Both of these thought patterns involve a rigid and all-or-nothing perspective that can make individuals feel stuck and powerless.

Here are three examples that illustrate the problems with global thinking and nominalizations:

1. Global thinking: Global thinking involves making sweeping generalizations about oneself, others, or the world, without taking into account the specific context or nuances of a situation. For example, an individual might have the thought “I’m a failure at everything.” This type of global thinking can lead to feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, and a negative self-image. It also can make individuals more likely to experience stress and anxiety, as they feel that they cannot change the situation.
2. Nominalizations: Nominalizations involve turning a process into a thing, making it difficult to change. For example, an individual might have the thought “I have a problem with anger.” This type of thinking turns anger into a thing that is unchanging and permanent, making it difficult to address and modify. Nominalizations also can make individuals feel helpless and powerless, as they believe that the process is out of their control.
3. Negative self-talk: Both global thinking and nominalizations can contribute to negative self-talk, which can be harmful to an individual’s well-being. For example, someone who is experiencing global thinking might think “I’m not good at anything.” This type of negative self-talk can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a negative self-image. Similarly, someone who is using nominalizations might think “I have an anger problem,” which can make them feel helpless and powerless. Negative self-talk can lead to negative emotions, such as stress and anxiety, and can make individuals more likely to experience negative outcomes.

In conclusion, global thinking and nominalizations are thought patterns that can contribute to negative emotions and hinder personal growth. Both patterns involve a rigid and all-or-nothing perspective that can make individuals feel stuck and powerless. By becoming aware of these thought patterns and learning to reframe them, individuals can increase their psychological flexibility and improve their well-being. This may involve learning new coping strategies and practicing mindfulness, as well as seeking support from a mental health professional.