HEALTHY THINKING

Healthy thinking involves cognitive information processing. Features of cognitive functioning (i.e., content, process, product, structure), with reference to behavioral and emotional adjustment, are described and discussed. Within these cognitive features specific differentiations are proposed and related research examined. An important content differentiation concerns positive versus negative thinking, and a principal processing differentiation concerns deficient information processing versus distorted processing. Both dysfunctional and functional cognitive distortions are examined. Areas in need of research attention are identified.