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cognitive coping

any strategy in which a person uses mental activity to manage a stressful event or situation. A variety of different forms exist, such as putting the experience into perspective, seeking to understand the causes of the situation, thinking about steps to resolve the situation, thinking about pleasant experiences instead of the current difficulty (positive refocusing), redefining the situation to emphasize potential benefits (positive reappraisal), exaggerating the negative consequences of the event (catastrophizing), blaming oneself or others for the occurrence of the event, dwelling on the negative emotions associated with the event (rumination), and minimizing the situation or its impact (cognitive avoidance). Some of these strategies (e.g., positive reappraisal, positive refocusing, putting things into perspective) generally are considered more effective than others, being associated with more positive psychological outcomes. Compare behavioral coping.

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Psychology term of the day

March 17th 2025

mantra

mantra

n.

1. in Hinduism and Buddhism, a sacred utterance, such as a syllable, phrase, or hymn (often in Sanskrit).

2. any verbal formula used for spiritual, religious, or meditative purposes to help block out extraneous thoughts and induce a state of relaxation that enables the individual to reach a deeper level of consciousness. See also concentrative meditation; transcendental meditation. Compare yantra.