<p>These are typically called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_distortion" rel="nofollow noreferrer">cognitive distortions</a> and are a mainstay of CBT, but are equally likely to be addressed by any <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_therapy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">cognitive psychotherapist</a>.  This is usually done by building skills to identify and challenge such thoughts.</p>
<p>In the much older (and largely outdated) school of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalysis" rel="nofollow noreferrer">psychoanalysis</a>, these are typically referred to as a defense mechanism called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalization_(psychology)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">rationalizations</a>.</p>
<p>In contrast, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behaviour_therapy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">behavioral therapies</a> are less likely to directly address such thoughts.  With this paradigm, distortions typically subside once the underlying behavior pattern is addressed (eg, by improving social skills, and actually making friends).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-13T17:52:27.853Z
Indeed it is.  People who rationalize do in fact *really believe* their rationalizations.  Therapists then work to reveal the underlying explanation (eg, anxiety) to them.  You may also be interested in [Can rationalization be objectively recognized?](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/10883/7001)
Arnon Weinberg
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-12T18:06:10.123Z
2021-01-12T18:06:10.123Z
Arnon Weinberg
<p>Imagine a person has some false beliefs, which are also reflected then in his actions:</p>
<ul>
<li>I  don't want to interact with people because I don't trust them and 90% of time they will betray me</li>
<li>If I form close relationship with people then I will not be able to move to different country because I will miss them</li>
<li>....</li>
</ul>
<p>We can bring similar beliefs. I am interested <strong>which direction in psychology</strong> studies this situation when person has such beliefs? And tries to correct them</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-18T11:46:47.960Z
FYI, one popular model of knowledge defines knowledge as "justified true belief", and epistemology is the field in philosophy to study knowledge. I suppose in epistemology one can find studies about belief system as well
Ooker
<cognitive-psychology><rationality><cbt><human-error><belief>
Which area of psychology studies false beliefs?
Don
# Which area of psychology studies false beliefs?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-01-09)

Imagine a person has some false beliefs, which are also reflected then in his actions:

* I don't want to interact with people because I don't trust them and 90% of time they will betray me
* If I form close relationship with people then I will not be able to move to different country because I will miss them
* ....

We can bring similar beliefs. I am interested **which direction in psychology** studies this situation when person has such beliefs? And tries to correct them

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, rationality, cbt, human-error, belief

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: FYI, one popular model of knowledge defines knowledge as "justified true belief", and epistemology is the field in philosophy to study knowledge. I suppose in epistemology one can find studies about belief system as well  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-01-12. Score: 1

These are typically called [cognitive distortions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_distortion) and are a mainstay of CBT, but are equally likely to be addressed by any [cognitive psychotherapist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_therapy). This is usually done by building skills to identify and challenge such thoughts.

In the much older (and largely outdated) school of [psychoanalysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalysis), these are typically referred to as a defense mechanism called [rationalizations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalization_(psychology)).

In contrast, [behavioral therapies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behaviour_therapy) are less likely to directly address such thoughts. With this paradigm, distortions typically subside once the underlying behavior pattern is addressed (eg, by improving social skills, and actually making friends).

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Indeed it is.  People who rationalize do in fact *really believe* their rationalizations.  Therapists then work to reveal the underlying explanation (eg, anxiety) to them.  You may also be interested in [Can rationalization be objectively recognized?](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/10883/7001)  

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