Why Do We Keep Making the Same Mistakes? The Psychology Behind Repeating Bad Decisions

26.02.2025 - 00:50

Ever found yourself stuck in a loop, making the same mistakes over and over again? You’re not alone! Our brains often misinterpret situations, leading us to repeat poor decisions. Cognitive distortions, automatic behaviors, and biased thinking patterns can trap us in unhealthy cycles—whether in relationships, work, or daily habits. But here’s the good news: by questioning our thoughts and challenging our mental shortcuts, we can break free from these patterns. So, why do we keep making the same mistakes, and how can we stop? Let’s dive into the psychology behind it! 🧠✨

Learning from our mistakes is crucial, yet people tend to repeat the same errors over and over again.

There’s a reason behind the saying, 'A person at seven is the same at seventy.' But why do we keep making the same mistakes? The answer lies in certain psychological patterns, one of which is cognitive distortions. These are thinking errors that cause our minds to interpret events unrealistically, often in a negative way. Cognitive distortions influence our decisions and behaviors, leading us to repeat past mistakes.

One example is "all-or-nothing thinking," where situations are viewed in extremes—either perfect or a total failure.

For instance, making a small mistake in a project might lead someone to believe the entire effort was worthless. 'Overgeneralization' also reinforces the tendency to repeat mistakes by making broad assumptions based on a single negative experience, such as failing once and concluding, 'I always fail.'

Another distortion is "mental filtering".

This means focusing only on negative aspects while ignoring the positives, lowering overall life satisfaction and leading to poor decision-making. Similarly, 'disqualifying the positive' involves dismissing achievements as luck or unimportant, which can diminish self-worth and make one more prone to errors.

Jumping to conclusions is another common distortion.

This manifests in two ways: 'mind reading' (assuming we know what others think) and 'fortune telling' (predicting negative outcomes without evidence). Magnifying failures and minimizing successes also harm self-confidence. Emotional reasoning—basing reality on feelings rather than facts—is another pitfall, as in thinking, 'I feel inadequate, so I must be inadequate.'

Rigid thinking, often expressed through statements like "I must always succeed," creates a persistent sense of inadequacy.

Labeling oneself or others negatively, such as 'I'm a failure' or 'They're stupid,' is another cognitive distortion. Additionally, personalizing events—blaming oneself for things beyond one’s control or holding others responsible for everything—can lead to unnecessary guilt or interpersonal conflicts.

Cognitive distortions shape our automatic thoughts, which arise instantly in response to situations and are usually influenced by past experiences and beliefs.

Over time, these patterns reinforce behaviors and decisions, making it more likely for us to repeat the same mistakes. Understanding these distortions and recognizing how they develop in our minds is key to breaking the cycle and making better choices.