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Makin’ It Makin’ It WorkWork

Lesson 2:Lesson 2:

Thinking TrapsThinking Traps

Module I: Thinking StraightModule I: Thinking Straight © 2008 © 2008 by Steve Parese, Ed.D.by Steve Parese, Ed.D.

Transitioning from Corrections Transitioning from Corrections to Community and the World of to Community and the World of WorkWork

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Words of Words of WisdomWisdom

“If you always do what you’ve always done, You’ll always get what you always

got!”What do you get out of this? How does it apply

to you?

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1. Read new story about Damon

2. Study model called “Thinking Cycle”

3. Take survey of Thinking Traps

4. Review & MiniQuiz

Today’s Today’s LessonLessonToday’s lesson focuses on

understanding the personal beliefs that drive our behavior, and sometimes get us into trouble.

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Damon’s Damon’s Story 2Story 2Let’s read along on Let’s read along on page 10page 10..

““Damon had been out for Damon had been out for about three months…”about three months…”

Questions after reading:1. Do you think Damon’s mother had a right to be upset?

Why or why not?2. What attitude did Damon take that made the situation

even worse?

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High Risk SituationHigh Risk Situation

Based on a model created by Nicholas Long, Ph.D.

BeliefsThought

s Feelings

Behavior

Consequences

“Thinking Cycle”

What you assume is TRUE, even without

proof

What you FEEL inside during a situation

What you DO or SAY aloud during a situation

Effects of your behavior on YOURSELF of

OTHERS

What you SAY to yourself during a

situation

Situation with serious potential for slipping back into harmful

habits

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High Risk SituationHigh Risk Situation

Based on a model created by Nicholas Long, Ph.D.

BeliefsThought

s Feelings

Behavior

Consequences

Complete Damon’s Thinking Cycle on page 12

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About Thinking Traps

Sometimes, we learn to think in ways that let us justify illegal or harmful behaviors.

We call these “Thinking Traps” because they make it easier to do things that make life harder, and may ultimately get us locked up again.

Complete the survey on page 13.

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Thinking Traps Thinking Traps SurveySurvey1. Defend yourself when you’re accused of some thing

(even if you know you’re wrong).

2. Just do the bare minimum to get by. It’s street smarts, not hard work, that gets you ahead.

3. Be who you are. Don’t act different just to make someone else happy.

4. Get even with people who try to disrespect you, or they’ll think they can get away with it all the time.

5. Don’t let anyone tell you what to do.

6. If you mess up, it’s your own business. Never admit to anything unless you absolutely have to.

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Thinking in

High Risk SituationsHigh Risk Situations

B. Nick goes to anger management classes.

C. Anna is nervous about an appointment with her caseworker.

A. Damon’s cousin, a successful businessman, embarrasses him.

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For Group Discussion

What are What are youryour Thinking Thinking Traps?Traps?

What High Risk Situations What High Risk Situations might trigger them?might trigger them?

What impulsive behaviors What impulsive behaviors might seem justified?might seem justified?

Could this behavior have Could this behavior have serious negative serious negative consequences?consequences?

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KEY POINT #1KEY POINT #1The Thinking Cycle shows how our choices and consequences are directly influenced by what we say to ourselves in high risk situations.

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KEY POINT KEY POINT #2#2

It is easy to get stuck in the “Thinking Traps” that

justified our old illegal or harmful behaviors. If we’re

not careful, we may find ourselves tempted to do the same things all over

again.

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MiniQuiz #2MiniQuiz #2Let’s complete the

MiniQuiz in the workbook and review

it as a group.

√√

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Today’s Words of Wisdom:

“If you always do what you’ve always done,

You’ll always get what you always got!”How does this fit in with our

lesson?

What is ONE THING you learned in this class that you will remember after

leaving?