Basic Beliefs Can Lead to Chronic Emotional Distress if Not Treated

Basic beliefs or schema are core beliefs about how we view the world and especially ourselves.   Our basic beliefs are stable and quite resistant to change.  They remain stable by influencing the way we view the world.

Basic Beliefs are Stable

An Example of Low Self-Esteem

Janet has an often-unconscious basic belief or schema that she is unlovable. Evidence that is not compatible with the schema will be distorted, discounted or un-notice. She has been in a relationship for about two years. She has an argument with her boyfriend and tells herself, “If he knew the real person that I am he would leave me.”  Recently she was hospitalized for several days. Friends came and visited her.  However, she told herself “They just did it to be polite.”  You can see the schema of being unlovable drives her perceptions of the world and her life experiences.

Trauma Related Schema

Bill, a Persian Gulf War veteran was exposed to road side bombs and incoming rocket attacks while deployed to Iraq and later Afghanistan.  He has developed a schema or core belief that the world is an unsafe place.  Unfortunately, his military experiences have generalized from a war zone to his home in the U.S.  If he walks past an intimidating looking young person he becomes hypervigilant and hyperalert.

A friend mentions to him that the crime statistics in their hometown have gone down. His automatic response is “but the burglaries have done up.”  When it is pointed out to him that he has not been personally hurt or even threatened for over 10 years he responds, “Luck. It is because I have tried so hard to protect myself.”

Core Beliefs Can Relate to Competence

Sandra has a basic belief or schema that she is a competent person.  She makes a mistake but has memories of doing well and being congratulated.  She tells herself “That was a one-off and doesn’t really reflect upon me.”  In college she fails a test but tells herself, “I didn’t’ practice so it wasn’t really a true test of my ability.”

Basic Beliefs May Relate to Confidence

As can be seen from the above examples our basic beliefs or schemas are stable over time and tend to be resistant to change.  Many of these beliefs were developed in childhood, even before the age of nine (9) years when our prefrontal cortex or the filtering part of our brain was not developed.   They can remain stable and influence the way in which we view the world – often through a bias or prejudice.

Information that does not ‘fit’ with the core belief is blinded, rejected or distorted as can be seen from the above examples.  When the person is exposed to information that does ‘fit’ the schema, it will often be made stronger.  Thus, with the example of Bill above, an increase in burglaries is seen as evidence that crime is very high, and the world is dangerous.  Yet, there is overall evidence of a decline in the crime rate. That fact is ignored. It doesn’t fit with his basic core belief.

Basic Beliefs as Magnets

Basic beliefs are like magnets. They are always present and will attract evidence which confirms them or verifies their existence. The more evidence the schema or core belief collects, the stronger the belief becomes.  Unfortunately, they repel or reject anything that is not consistent with the belief. This makes it extremely hard to ‘see’ or believe anything which would contradict or undermine them.  This is also referred to as cognitive bias. But, basic beliefs are not facts.  While some may be functional others are not. With persistence and professional counseling, they can be altered.

 In summary, basic beliefs or schema are often operating automatically and affect your perception of the world.  If the beliefs are healthy, they can contribute to your success, happiness and wellness. However, if you are operating from faulty beliefs, your life balance, happiness, relationships and success in life will be affected.

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