What type of cognitive distortion is illustrated by the statement "I feel so incompetent when preparing for the exam"?

The statement "I feel so incompetent when preparing for the exam" exemplifies emotional reasoning, which is a cognitive distortion where an individual believes that their emotional state reflects the reality of a situation. In this instance, the person is allowing their feelings of incompetence to define their thoughts about their abilities in preparing for the exam.

Emotional reasoning can be particularly pervasive in situations involving self-assessment and performance, such as exams, where anxiety or low self-esteem can lead to negative interpretations of one's capabilities. This kind of thought process disregards objective evidence of competence and instead relies solely on the person's subjective feelings, which may be misleading or exaggerated.

In contrast to other forms of cognitive distortions, emotional reasoning emphasizes the individual's current emotional experience over rational evaluation or factual evidence of skill and preparedness. Understanding this distortion is vital for social work practice, as it helps practitioners support clients in recognizing and challenging their harmful thought patterns, promoting healthier perspectives on their abilities and experiences.