Overgeneralization, a term often used in the realm of cognitive therapy, refers to the act of making broad interpretations or conclusions based on a single event, instance, or piece of evidence. At its heart, it’s the mental shortcut of “one thing went wrong; therefore, everything will go wrong.” Understanding the nature, implications, and methods to overcome overgeneralization can offer significant insights into our cognitive processes and decision-making patterns. When someone engages in overgeneralization, they draw a general conclusion about their abilities, worth, or outcomes based on a singular negative event. This could manifest as thoughts like “I made a mistake in this report; I’m terrible at my job,” or “They didn’t reply to my message; no one likes me.”