Choice and Thinking

Answer each of the following questions first in your word processor. When you are finished, be sure to save your work. Then copy it and paste it all into the appropriate box below. This activity has several parts to it. Do not leave any of the parts undone. It is better to do a bit more than a bit less than you think is necessary. That way I can be pretty sure you have read through the chapter and understand it pretty well.

Please base your responses to the questions below on chapter 6 of your textbook.

Discussion Activity:

From this chapter's reading respond to the following questions. Make sure you have answered them sufficiently enough to demonstrate that you have thoroughly read and understand the principles in the chapter. (Do not copy and paste from the chapter into your answers).

• In the Thinking Errors section of the chapter, find two thinking error patterns or irrational thoughts that you commonly notice about yourself. Explain how you could change that way of thinking to a more effective and rational way of thinking.
• Why is it, in reality, impossible to be offended by something someone else says or does?
• Explain the essence of Viktor Frankl's comment on the last of the human freedoms.
• Carefully read through the levels of responding section. As you do, think of a situation in which you experienced anger, frustration, anxiety, boredom or some other unpleasant feeling. Similar to the author's anecdote where you read about my experience riding a bike and getting garbage thrown at me, go through each of the levels of responding and describe what you might say to yourself that would result in peacefulness and no stress rather than responding ineffectively and feeling the unpleasant emotion that you did.
• Finish your discussion with your thoughts of how this information affects you personally including any insights you had about yourself and the stress that you experience.