Alternative hypotheses

Compare mechanisms

Compare function, sequence, patient language, and treatment leverage. The aim is not to choose a label—it is to identify which hypothesis best explains this person’s pattern.

Ask this

Which pattern better explains the sequence, protective function, and consequences: negative core beliefs or rumination?

Negative core beliefs

Negative core beliefs bias attention and meaning-making, often linking early experience to current automatic thoughts, affect, and behaviour.

CognitionDevelopmentalAttachment+1

Rumination

Rumination may feel like problem-solving but often maintains low mood, shame, threat, and cognitive inflexibility.

CognitionAffectBehaviour

Definition

AGlobal, rigid, overgeneralised beliefs about the self, others, or world that shape interpretation and emotional response.

BRepetitive, passive, negatively toned thinking about distress, causes, meanings, or consequences.

Core process

AA schema-like belief filters events so ambiguous information is interpreted as confirming defectiveness, danger, unlovability, or failure.

BAttention becomes repeatedly captured by unresolved negative meanings without moving into effective action or new learning.

Look for

AGlobal self-statements · Persistent themes across situations

BLong repetitive analysis · Difficulty shifting attention

Patient language

A“I am not good enough”

B“I keep going over it”

Maintaining cycle

ATrigger -> negative meaning -> affect -> coping behaviour -> apparent confirmation of belief

BNegative event -> repetitive analysis -> mood worsens -> more negative material becomes salient

Treatment leverage

AWork at the level of meaning, not only surface thoughts.

BMove from repetitive analysis to values-based action or specific problem-solving.

Check before using

AThe thought is situation-specific and changes with new evidence.

BThe person is doing concrete planning that leads to action.

Formulation language

A negative core belief of defectiveness appears to shape threat appraisals, self-criticism, and avoidance of disconfirming feedback.

Open full guide

Formulation language

Rumination appears to keep the patient caught in repeated negative meaning-making, worsening mood and reducing behavioural movement.

Open full guide

Browse the map Use both hypotheses

Alternative hypotheses

Compare mechanisms

Compare function, sequence, patient language, and treatment leverage. The aim is not to choose a label—it is to identify which hypothesis best explains this person’s pattern.

Ask this

Which pattern better explains the sequence, protective function, and consequences: negative core beliefs or rumination?

Negative core beliefs

Negative core beliefs bias attention and meaning-making, often linking early experience to current automatic thoughts, affect, and behaviour.

CognitionDevelopmentalAttachment+1

Rumination

Rumination may feel like problem-solving but often maintains low mood, shame, threat, and cognitive inflexibility.

CognitionAffectBehaviour

Definition

AGlobal, rigid, overgeneralised beliefs about the self, others, or world that shape interpretation and emotional response.

BRepetitive, passive, negatively toned thinking about distress, causes, meanings, or consequences.

Core process

AA schema-like belief filters events so ambiguous information is interpreted as confirming defectiveness, danger, unlovability, or failure.

BAttention becomes repeatedly captured by unresolved negative meanings without moving into effective action or new learning.

Look for

AGlobal self-statements · Persistent themes across situations

BLong repetitive analysis · Difficulty shifting attention

Patient language

A“I am not good enough”

B“I keep going over it”

Maintaining cycle

ATrigger -> negative meaning -> affect -> coping behaviour -> apparent confirmation of belief

BNegative event -> repetitive analysis -> mood worsens -> more negative material becomes salient

Treatment leverage

AWork at the level of meaning, not only surface thoughts.

BMove from repetitive analysis to values-based action or specific problem-solving.

Check before using

AThe thought is situation-specific and changes with new evidence.

BThe person is doing concrete planning that leads to action.

Formulation language

A negative core belief of defectiveness appears to shape threat appraisals, self-criticism, and avoidance of disconfirming feedback.

Open full guide

Formulation language

Rumination appears to keep the patient caught in repeated negative meaning-making, worsening mood and reducing behavioural movement.

Open full guide

Browse the map Use both hypotheses