ABSTRACT
Traps refer to the way in which individuals reinforce negative beliefs and assumptions by acting in ways that elicit the negative belief. For example, a low self-esteem trap may be a feeling that if I go to a party no one will speak to me. I attend the party feeling hostile and defensive and respond to approaches in a surly manner, which in turn means that people do not speak to me for long. The negative belief of myself is confirmed.
