Neurobiology of hope

Inferential distortions refer to irrational or faulty conclusions individuals draw based on limited, incorrect, or misinterpreted information. Common in cognitive theories of psychopathology, especially Beck's cognitive model, these distortions can lead to negative automatic thoughts and emotional distress. For example, a person may assume, “She didn’t smile at me, so she must hate me,” without considering other explanations. Such faulty inferences contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aim to help individuals identify, challenge, and restructure these distortions to promote more realistic and adaptive thinking patterns.