Filtering...anyone have a simple definition?

My T and I were talking about something (as usual, I can't recall what) and she said, "filtering." I looked at her and just repeated the word, 'filtering.' I think T thought I was agreeing with her, and I might have been, since I sometimes do the 'selective hearing' thing. However, I looked up the word filtering in psychology and the definitions were so complicated that I gave up. Does anyone have a definition that might fit this situation, vague as it may be?

Hard to say without knowing the convo but does this help any... Great example of a mental filter | Psychology Tools

Like all heart said it's hard to say when we don't know what context it was used in.
I have heard it being used in cbt and in particular with William glasser and his choice theory. He has a car diagram he uses to describe how we filter information in put brains.

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Thought distortions are great to learn so you can identify them yourself.

Filtering is when you pick out a negative detail in any situation and dwell on it exclusively, thus thinking the whole situation is bad. Its when you focus on the negative and ignore the positive. I do it a lot!

I saw that!!What a great example! I ended up getting into filtering theory and became so discombobulated that I thought, oh, forget it. If filtering is basically what your example showed, I'm pleased. Knowing my T, however, nothing is THAT simple.

I'll look up William Glasser and see if I find anything new or different. I think it's a simple thing, but can get distorted when people put forth theories, such as I got into this afternoon.

I didn't think I did that... (I certainly could be wrong) I understand your point and explanation, but can it work another way? Maybe not exactly the opposite, like one would see the positive details when there are negatives, but another way altogether? I wish I could recall what my T and I were talking about - gggrrrrr. I hate it when I can't remember the context when something like this comes up.

hi uglyducky ,
here's what I found out about filtering.Filter, Filtering

MEANING: A distortion of what was said or communicated to another person.

RELEVANCE TO ABUSE: Abusive people may distort what you say so that they hear something quite different. In psychological terms this is called filtering. They often alter your words to fit their own preconceptions or to suit their own ideas.

my therapist and I don't use this particular type in counseling cuz im very open to her and we never had a falling out in counseling.





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That's just what I've learned from my t. I even checked my thought distortions worksheet before posting.

Last night, I tried to recall what T and I were talking about and I "think" we were talking about how my family typically treats me like I'm an afterthought; they don't really hear what I say or take what I say seriously. (This is a guess...) If I'm right, T might have been referring to my perception that regardless of the good ways some family members might treat me, I focus, instead, on the few that disregard me. And, now that I think of it, I do see this as a form of abuse.

I don't understand what you said about, "my therapist and I don't use this particular type in counseling cuz im very open to her and we never had a falling out in counseling." Is filtering a therapy technique? My T and I are very close, though we've recently gone through a rough transference patch, but nothing that I would consider a falling out. Mention was made by my T at that time that she was going to have to examine her counter transference...and nothing else has been said about it.

I may need to ask my T what, exactly, did she mean when she used the word 'filtering.' Regardless, this information is helpful and adds to my knowledge of various psychological techno talk I'm not familiar with, which is always a good thing. Thanks so much for your help!

I downloaded a thought distortion chart a few days ago, but filtering wasn't on it. Would you be willing to share what you use...if it's available, where I might get a copy? Thanks, so much, for getting back to me on this topic!!

Oh I only have a hard copy that my T gave me but I *can* type it up and send it to you. Its really simply put and much easier to understand that what I have found online.

*Polorized-Black or White, no gray.
Alternate thought-think in percentages, no black or white judgements.

*Filtering-Focus only on the negative and ignore the positive.
Alternate thought-Shift focus

*Overgeneralization-Taking one thing/event and saying it happens ALL the time
Alternate thought-Quanitfy, consider the evidence, avoid absolutes

*Catastrophizing- Fearing the worst will happen
Alternate thought-Assess the odds.

*Magnifying-Making a mountain out of a molehill
Alternate thought-Get things into proportion

*Personalization-
1)Others are reacting to you
2)Comparing yourself to others
Alternate thought-Check it out, We all have strengths and weaknesses, comparison is meaningless

*Mindreading-You feel you know what others are thinking/feeling
Alternate thought-Check it out, generate alternate interpretations

*Shoulds-A Set of rules you or others must follow or you are disappointed
Alternate thought-My rules are flexible, values are personal

Im not sure if there are more. These are what I was given to practice with.

Oh, no, thank you for offering, but I think I probably have enough of the major distortions to find the rest online. T and I aren't totally in CBT, but I think the distortions are something many therapists use, regardless of the type of therapy.

Thanks, again. If I have another distortion question, I'll post and perhaps you could help me out...?

Thanks, so much!!

You're welcome