— O v e r g e n e r a l i z a t i o n . You have a few bad dating experiences,
so your mind learns the pattern that dating is disappointing. C o n -
sequently, y o u avoid going on any more dates because y o u see the
activity as something to avoid. Unfortunately, this means you'll never
again have a positive dating experience, w h i c h w o u l d have allowed
your mind to correct this belief. O l d patterns persist as long as they
remain unchallenged.
— P r e j u d i c e . You overhear your co-workers complaining that
someone w h o w a s just hired is apparently a real pain to work w i t h .
9
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SMART PEOPLE
• •
This causes y o u to harbor negative expectations about the n e w hire.
During your first assignment with this person, y o u naturally expect
trouble, so y o u resist working together cooperatively. The other
person picks up on your negative treatment and responds in kind,
thereby fulfilling your expectations. Making snap judgments without
the benefit of direct experience often leads to erroneous conclusions.
