Pathological thinking

Pathological thinking is thinking that imbalanced by emotion whether it is positive or

negative. Brain was occupied by emotions, hence less capacity for logical thinking. Emotion
mixed in pathological thought is the goal of the thought. Aims of the pathological thoughts
are to justify and express those emotions.
According to Raithel (2011), pathological thought does not see itself, cannot see itself,
and cannot see other types of thought. The term "pathological" is used to designate thinking
that is imbalanced by emotion. The emotion in pathological thinking is not necessarily
"negative", although, say, anger or jealously are probably the most obvious examples of
emotions that disturb thought. Nevertheless, positive emotions such as "hope" can also
influence thought and direct it to such an extent that they subvert the progression of a thought
and lead to desired rather than reasonable conclusions. According to Raithel (2011),
pathological thought is well illustrated by a recent magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) study in which members of two different political parties were presented with the
same ideological message and yet reached opposite conclusions. The MRI results indicated
that parts of the brain corresponding to emotion were activated instead of reasoning parts of
the brain.
However, pathological thinking is most obvious when it is mixed with a negative
emotion, say anger, and is expressed vehemently, rapidly, and with, perhaps, intent to injure.
If one listens patiently to a pathological tirade and does not respond in kind, it often forces a
self-awareness which may derail the momentum of the speaker, leading to a more reasoned
discussion (Raithel, 2011). A thoughtful unemotional response may prove far more effective
in bringing the discussion into the light of reason and thereby transform pathological thought,
which can only exist in the darkness of no self-awareness.
It should be recognized that the words spoken by pathological thinking do not mean
what they say, that is, the words do not stand for their ordinary and simple meaning but rather
serve an underlying emotion, which may even be exactly the opposite of what is said. This
means that we only say things that sometimes are illogical and out of intentions in uttering
those words. It is just more easily seen in another person, hence in conversation). If we listen
to our own inflections when speaking, and the inflections of others, we may begin to

recognize certain tones, also a certain speed and other characteristics that accompany the
expression of pathological thought.
Raithel (2011) also stated that we are all subject to all three types of thought. We think
we are not subject to, or only rarely subject to, pathological thought, but that is only because
by its nature it is not observed. Pathological thought does not see itself. But why is it not seen
when someone points it out to us? Maybe because often that person has ulterior motives in
pointing it out, for example they are mad at us, and what we see instead of our pathological
thought is their pathological thought and we wonder that they cannot see it.
The emotions mixed in pathological thought are the goal of that thought. The purpose
of pathological thought is to justify and express those emotions. The purpose is not to think,
but to use thought as a tool for ends that it is not designed for. Thought, used by the emotions.
At its worst, pathological thinking steals energy from the sex center and leads to a variety of
personal and social difficulties. We would do well to be wary of it.
Causes of emotions
There are also causes that will eventually cause more emotions towards a person.
There are:

Colours

Things that are personal

Expectations
Colours will cause more emotions, as an example, people who are in stress are

encourage to look at blue colour like oceans, skies and others as they beliefs that blue will
eventually make us calm. For the second causes which is things that are personal like family,
friends, loves, home and relationships. Talking about something that is close to ourselves will
make us more emotionally attach to it and eventually effects our emotions. Last causes of
emotions which is expectation can affects our emotions in which situation if expectations are
not satisfied will cause person to have initial emotions such as depression, disappointment,
and frustration may lead to anger.

Impact of pathological thinking in high order thinking skills

High order thinking skills that will be affected by pathological thinking is decisionmaking and problem solving. Decision-making process will be interfering, as there will be
irrational influences of emotions. Philosophers had once said that people would make better
decision if they minimised the emotional aspect of their inner lives.
There are also five roles of emotion in decision-making, there are:

Decisions are constituted by emotions. Emotions do not result decision directly but
they will be created or shaped it.

Decision process is affected by emotions. It is more effective to consider which

emotions affects the process rather than compare between emotional an emotionless
decision-making.

Besides good or bad decision, emotions also lead to decision avoidance or decision
seeking. As an example, fear induced by danger increase our belief that harm will
occur. Thus, reduce our tendency to adopt risky options.

Emotions involves in implementation of decisions. Although a decision has been

made, emotional factors may stall or swift in the implementation of choice chosen.
(Doubtful on the decision that has been made).

Parts of the consequences of the outcomes of decisions are emotions, thus they play
role in all phases of future decisions.
Problem solving will be affected by emotions where high emotional state will

interfere cognitive abilities. However, cognitive abilities will be interfere by negative

emotions. when people were negatively emotional, they cant think properly and hence,
hard to solve problems. As an example, when we are fear or frustrated, we are not able to
list down the options logically to solve problems.

Contradict when people in a positive emotions, they will be more flexible and creative
in solving problems. They will also have better performance, more persistent, try harder,
and more motivated in solving their problems. In addition, people with positive emotions
will enjoy the tasks they working on, expanding their mindset and thus, enhance their
social skills. These lead to brainstorming and obtain opinions from others, which in turn
solve problem effectively.
References
Raithel, J. (2011, August 8). Three Types of Thought. Retrieved November 17, 2014, from
http://www.rahul.net/raithel/otfw/threetypesofthought.html
Vongehr, S. (2012, December 19). Pathological Thinking: A Response Of The Season Of
Love

To

The

Current

Outrage.

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17,

2014,

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http://www.science20.com/alpha_meme/pathological_thinking_response_season_lov
_current_outrage-99575