Cognitive Distortions When People Cheat (2)
The PDF, authored by Dr. Monique Thompson, a mental‑health expert and best‑selling author, is an educational resource that explains how people who cheat often use cognitive distortions to justify their infidelity and shift blame onto their partner. It begins with a table that pairs common blame statements (e.g., “We don’t have sex anymore”) with the internal excuse the cheater tells themselves, the core lie underlying that excuse, a truth‑based reframe that counters the lie, and a brief scientific rationale linking the distortion to research on attachment, reward, and social pain. The document then provides a “Reflection Worksheet” that lists typical cognitive distortions (mind‑reading, all‑or‑nothing thinking, catastrophizing, etc.) and offers research‑based reframes, along with prompts for couples to identify personal examples and journal reflections. The final section guides readers on recovery: a video by Dr. Thompson, an “Infidelity Recovery Workbook,” and a call to work with a therapist or relationship coach, including a referral request link. The author’s credentials, contact information, and testimonials are presented to establish authority and provide avenues for further support.
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Blame Statements and Cognitive Distortions: Mapping Justifications for Cheating
A table that links common partner‑blaming statements to internal excuses, core lies, truth‑based reframes, and supporting scientific evidence.