black-and-white thinking

Definitions

A cognitive distortion characterized by viewing situations in binary, absolute terms without acknowledging nuance or middle ground.

The tendency to categorize experiences, people, or ideas as either entirely good or entirely bad, with no shades of gray.

Examples

Her black-and-white thinking prevented her from seeing the nuanced middle ground in the complex political debate.

Overcoming his tendency toward black-and-white thinking allowed him to appreciate the shades of gray in human relationships.

Synonyms

all-or-nothing thinking polarized thinking dichotomous reasoning binary mindset absolutist perspective

Antonyms

nuanced thinking gray-area perspective balanced reasoning multifaceted viewpoint critical thinking