INFLUENCE OF COGNITIVE DISTORTION ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Cognitive distortions are systematic thinking errors that distort reality, negatively influencing the perception of events and experiences. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), created by Aaron T. Beck, is based on the understanding that thoughts and perceptions shape behaviors and, consequently, the individual’s position in the world. The reality constructed is often influenced by content that is not necessarily functional or beneficial to mental health. CBT presents the cognitive model, which describes how a specific situation triggers a thought, which then generates an emotion, resulting in a behavior. This work is based on and developed through qualitative, bibliographic, and descriptive research, presenting concepts in a practical and succinct manner with the aim of raising awareness about the relationship between cognitive distortions and human behavior. It investigates how dysfunctional thought patterns can shape and impact people’s actions and reactions.The bibliographic references used will be those published between 2015 and 2025, and it is expected that this work will help individuals identify and modify distorted thoughts, highlighting the importance of recognizing and correcting these distortions to promote more adaptive and healthy behavior, ultimately leading to a positive impact on their quality of life.