What is emotional reasoning in cognitive psychology?

Emotional reasoning is a cognitive distortion where an individual treats their subjective emotional reactions as proof of objective truth, ignoring contrary empirical evidence. This biased thought pattern creates an emotional reality that can cause intense anxiety, reinforce negative behaviors, and exacerbate mental health challenges. It is commonly identified and addressed through therapeutic techniques like cognitive restructuring in cognitive behavioral therapy.

What we know

• Emotional reasoning is a cognitive process where an individual concludes that their emotional reaction proves something is true despite contrary empirical evidence. [1, 2]
• The process can create an emotional truth that conflicts with perceptual truth, often triggering or associating with anxiety and panic disorders. [2]
• Emotional reasoning is classified as a cognitive distortion that warps how individuals interpret situations, reinforcing negative emotions and self-doubt. [3]
• Maladaptive thoughts like emotional reasoning are targeted and disputed using psychotherapeutic processes such as cognitive restructuring. [5]

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureHow do other cognitive distortions warp reality?
• how it workedHow does cognitive restructuring correct distorted thoughts?
• a case in pointWhat is an example of emotional reasoning in relationships?
• compared withHow do cognitive biases differ from emotional reasoning?
• what followedWhat are the effects of anxiety disorders on thought patterns?
• an unexpected connectionCan cognitive biases ever be useful?While emotional reasoning and cognitive biases generally lead to inaccurate judgments or distress, certain cognitive biases can actually be adaptive by allowing faster decision-making when timeliness matters more than accuracy.

Sources

• [1]emotional reasoning (Wikidata Q5045843) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Emotional reasoning · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Cognitive distortion · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Cognitive bias · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Cognitive restructuring · CC BY-SA 4.0