(+FREE Worksheets PDF) What Causes Cognitive Distortions? - Social or cultural expectations - One’s beliefs, and moral values whether learned or passed on through generations - Genetics, and personality traits, such as resilience, persistence, and attitude - One’s ability to self regulate their emotions - Severe psychological trauma suffered as a child, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse - Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, anxiety, anger, or loneliness - Social disadvantage, poverty or debt