Core beliefs are thinking patterns that we develop over time. We typically develop these beliefs through childhood and they become fairly fixed by late childhood or early adolescence. Our core beliefs direct how we judge our past actions and how we think about the future. Some core beliefs can be helpful, and some can be unhelpful.

There are three main categories of core beliefs:

− Beliefs about ourselves

− Beliefs about others

− Beliefs about the world

Unhelpful, negative core beliefs will twist or distort how we view our experiences. We call these twisted thoughts “thinking distortions.” Another name for thinking distortions is “automatic thoughts.” These thoughts are generated by our core beliefs and happen so quickly, they seem to occur automatically. They contribute to our feelings of depression and anxiety. They damage our self-esteem and undermine our self-worth.

Core beliefs associated with anxiety tend to involve themes of risk, dangerousness, uncontrollability, and incompetency. Anxiety-provoking core beliefs tend to influence us to see ourselves as weak, others as hostile, and the world as a dangerous and unpredictable place. Core beliefs associated with depression tend to involve themes of incompetency, failure, or unlovability. Core beliefs that impact depression tend to lead to us seeing ourselves as failures, unlovable and we tend to avoid relationships, which leads to feelings of loneliness.

Can you give us some examples?

Core beliefs about self:

− I am unable to protect myself

− I am vulnerable

− I am unable to cope

− There is something wrong with me

Core beliefs about others:

− Other people will humiliate me

− Other people are only out for themselves

− People can’t be trusted

Core beliefs about the world:

− The world is dangerous

− The world is unpredictable and scary

How do we develop these core beliefs?

Core beliefs develop over time, usually during childhood and adolescence, and from significant life events or circumstances. Each of us has our own collection because of what we have learned from our parents, teachers, and peers.

Sometimes core beliefs are taught to us explicitly by our caregivers (e.g., “Nice girls don’t get angry.” “Big boys don’t cry.”) At other times, we develop an attitude about ourselves because of repeated experiences. For example, if we are frequently criticized we may develop the attitude “I am worthless.” If we are frequently ignored, we may develop the attitude “My needs don’t matter.” If we are frequently rejected, we may develop the attitude “I am unlovable.” The unfortunate thing is that we may live out these mistaken attitudes to the point where we act in ways – and others treat us in ways — that confirm them. Thus, our mistaken beliefs of childhood can eventually become self-fulfilling prophecies.

These core beliefs affect our thinking patterns. The result is often what I like to refer to as “unhelpful” thinking styles, you may have heard of them referred to as “Cognitive Distortions”, “Negative Thinking Patterns”, “Thought Distortions”, or “Automatic Thinking.” These are all different terms for the same idea: skewed thinking that is not helpful. Next week we’ll cover the various types of “unhelpful” thinking styles, stay tuned!

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