What is rigid thinking?

Rigid thinking is cognitive pattern characterized by inflexibility, black and white thinking, and difficulty considering alternative perspectives, options, or solutions. People with rigid thinking tend to see things as only right or wrong, good or bad, without nuance, and have difficulty adapting when circumstances change. Examples of rigid thinking include all-or-nothing thoughts like if I am not perfect, I am failure, insistence that things must be done only one way, inability to compromise, and distress when routines are disrupted. Rigid thinking can lead to anxiety, conflict, and difficulty problem solving because person cannot generate flexible alternatives. In psychology, rigid thinking is associated with perfectionism, obsessive compulsive traits, and autism spectrum where need for sameness is common. It contrasts with flexible thinking which considers multiple possibilities and adapts. Overcoming rigid thinking involves practicing cognitive flexibility, considering other viewpoints, challenging black and white thoughts, and learning to tolerate uncertainty and change, often through cognitive behavioral strategies.