PASSING THOUGHTS

One thing. One question. Once a week.

PASSING THOUGHTS

EPISODE 80: HOW BELIEFS ARE FORMED | PASSING THOUGHTS PODCAST | rbccmnq

August 06, 2023 • Rebecca-Monique • Episode 80

Authority figure + Intense emotion + ...

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Hi, I’m Rebecca-Monique: an ICF accredited (PCC) grief and trauma coach, and coach supervisor. My work is centred around supporting individuals through their healing and growth.

My specialist areas are grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, sense of Self (identity), boundaries and confidence. My modes of coaching are somatic (i.e. embodied awareness) and transformational (i.e. a focus on attitudes, values, beliefs, behaviours, etc.).

I have particular interests in social sciences and human-centred disciplines, including psychology, psycholinguistics, sociology, spirituality and philosophy.

I live in London, UK with my son (who is also blessed with the awesomeness that is hyphenated first names!).

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Hi, I’m Rebecca-Monique – an ICF accredited coach and coach supervisor – and these are my passing thoughts.

A belief is an internal mental state or conviction of an idea we deem as true.

They provide a framework for how we understand and interact in the world.

We hold beliefs about ourselves, others and the world, for example

I am unloveable.
Other people are not to be trusted
The world is a dangerous place

So how are beliefs formed? We can use the following equation

An authority figure, such as a parent, teacher, caregiver, grandparent, sibling, or manager

Plus high, intense emotions such as shame, guilt, joy, bliss, pride

Plus suggestibility, for example an idea, concept, outcome, characteristic, or quality

Equals belief formation, for example, I am a failure, I am too sensitive, I will be successful, I am intelligent, I am good-looking

Particularly in our formative years when we’re most impressionable, the actions of those in authoritative roles prove significantly influential in the beliefs we form.

Our Reticular Activating System (we can think of this as a gatekeeper of information; the part of our brain that creates our filters) kicks in to find situations that confirm these beliefs, and these beliefs have the power to become a self-fulfilling prophecy or confirmed by cognitive bias.

Some beliefs serve us well, and others become problematic.

Being curious about the origins of the beliefs we hold means that we can begin to rewrite the ones that don’t benefit us and reinforce the ones that have helped us thrive.

My question for you this week is:

Think of one of your strongly held beliefs. What evidence do you have for and against it being true, real or valid?

Speak to you next week. Until then, be well.