Overgeneralisation

Overgeneralisation takes a single event and treats it as a universal pattern. One bad experience becomes proof that things will always go wrong.

Example: You go on one disappointing date and conclude: "I'll never find anyone. No one will ever want to be with me." A single data point becomes an iron law.

Overgeneralisation often reflects and reinforces deeper core beliefs. Watch for the words "always," "never," "everyone," and "no one" in your thinking. They're usually signs that you're overgeneralising.