Answer the questions below 1-3

1. Do you seem to have thinking errors that show up in your life? What might some of those be?

2. How might the thinking errors you have play a significant role in your life? Do the thinking errors play any role in any fears or anxieties that you have?

3. How might you work to fight or counter those thinking errors?

Respond to the discussions in order

Discussion #1

I do have thinking errors that show up in my life. Many of the thoughts revolve around doubting myself and what I am capable of. I tend to downplay my ability to do certain tasks and achieve goals because I do not want to be disappointed. While I am confident in myself, I do have moments where I compare and almost degrade myself.

These thinking errors can play a significant role in my life because they impact how I view myself, tasks that I do, my approach to situations and circumstances, and even how I interact with people. These thinking errors definitely play a role in some of the fears and anxieties that I have. For example, when I doubt my ability to do certain tasks or overcome obstacles, my body naturally reacts to this situations with fear and anxiety.

Fighting these thinking errors has been something I have been doing for quite some time. My thinking errors now have improved immensely compared to what they use to be. While I still have these thoughts, I have learned the best way to fight these thoughts is by responding in the moment to them with positive affirmations. I think it is difficult to control ones mind and the thoughts that we have, but we do have control over how we respond to our own thoughts.

Discussion 2

A Type I error is rejecting something that is true. A Type II error is accepting something that is not true, as if it were true. So, a Type I error is more like a denial of the truth. Whereas a Type II error is believing a lie.

A major impact of making a Type II error when related to medicine is in believing we have found a cure for an illness, such as cancer, and that the cure will work for anyone regardless of other underlying medical issues, age, diet, or any other types of complications or distractions. We then give this medication to the patient, and instead of the patient getting better, they have complications and die. This is a major Type II error.

A major impact of making a Type I error when related to working with the public in a social work platform, is to be so involved in a person's case that you believe the words or information they are telling you, rather than believing what you are seeing. You are in denial of the vision the person is presenting because you are pulling for them to grow and become a dependable and quality person of the community. This is an example of a Type I error.

A specific way to prevent making Type I or Type II errors in my own research is to keep accurate and concise records or all outcomes, good and bad. To rely on the data as it presents itself, and to remain neutral throughout the research process.

This is related to statistical significance because in all cases there is up to a 5% chance that the information and research you are looking at could be different that it presents itself. In best case scenario, the research information and the tests used to confirm or deny the information presented, will be as close to accurate as possible providing the least amount of difference.

Keeping accurate records and detailing even the slightest difference will allow for there to be less error and keep the data as correct as possible.