Black n white thinking vs gray thinking

It's really about the "all or nothing" aspect that makes it black and white thinking. It's either one way or another, no in between. Otherwise, it's not black and white thinking. It may be some other kind of disordered thought, but not necessarily black and white thinking.

Your example of 2+2=4 is not black and white thinking. That's just math.

Just to be clear, black and white or all or nothing thinking has to do with disordered thinking. It's not talking about things that are finite or clearly defined. SO 2+2=4, yes that's true, it's a true statement, but not a black and white statement. It's not disordered thinking to say something that is true is true. Black and white means it's all one way or all another.

Just like 2+3=4 is false. It's black or white thinking, it's just a false statement.

This thread made me think: if someone succeeded in one thing, and labeled himself/herself as successful, although he/she most likely had some failures, wouldn't this also be a black and white thinking? Is this a faulty thinking as well and why?

I believe black and white thinking is a negative thinking style we employ before we make a choice/action.

I'm not sure about this, because you would think that you have been a horrible person all the time, just because you snapped that one time. So, the thinking happens after the action in this case. I agree, though, that black and white thinking is more about the negativity of the mind. I think we judge the way of thinking as faulty or not not by matching it with the reality, but with its survival value. For example, optimism is not an accurate thinking in the sense that it doesn't match with the reality, but it motivates us to keep going and do changes ... etc. Optimism actually is a one of the biases of the mind, but we don't treat people for having it

Great point! I think it is equal.

I failed this time, therefore I am a failure.

I succeeded this time, therefore I am a success.

I don't know. I'm so confused now.

Join the rest of the world.

I think that black and white thinking also applies when people judge others, no just how one judges himself/herself. For example, one could do many good things with/to others, but at the first mistake he/she would be labeled as a bad person and would be ostracized. This is particularly true in some cultures where the sense of community is still strong. The mind seems to work that way

Even if not rooted 100 percent in reality--people who think optimistically live longer and are happier. I think optimism can actually stir up chemicals in our body that are healing. Just look at what this link says....

Optimism and your health - Harvard Health

So eventually, depression kills. Love and happiness heals. When I made my attempt and became conscious, my H, dad, brother, sister where there. My daughter and son also visited. Their presence helped me heal. Talking to people here helps me heal. Having enduring a lot of pain for a while, sometimes talking to someone I loved was a necessary distraction from the pain. When my depression lifted, my pain became less intense. Depression magnifies our physical pain. I have experienced it. I still have some chronic pain. It's not that bad now, but does intensify when I am tired and depressed. The mind body connection is so powerful....Everyone must have people in their life who are supportive. It is so important. I support you Mr. Stranger. You are smart and kind--your glass isn't totally empty!

Black and white thinking sounds like a label that someone can use as a defense mechanism to get out of taking responsibility for their own actions. I know of someone who has made, not just one mistake or two, but has repeatedly made the SAME MISTAKE multiple times, over many years. The person never apologized either. They never owned up to their mistakes.
T hey are trying say MULTIPLE MISTAKES was just ONE MISTAKE. Sorry no can do.

To say that person is bad is not black and white thinking, they are bad and have proven it multiple times over. imo.