Evidence Sorting
Evidence sorting is an original thought literacy concept that describes the process of looking at information and figuring out whether it reinforces an existing belief (looping), supports a new, more helpful interpretation (bridge), or helps you see the situation from a more balanced perspective (neutral). This can help you better understand and process your thoughts and make it easier to reframe them.
- Short definition: Identifying how information relates to a thought.
- Example: John notices he beats himself up after making mistakes and thinks he can’t admit when he’s wrong or that people will make fun of him. He looks at the information he’s using to support this belief and sorts it into three categories. He identifies memories of people making fun of his mistakes as looping, reminders that mistakes are part of learning as bridge, and the fact that everyone makes mistakes as neutral. This helps him see which information is keeping him stuck and what other information he can consider.
- Cite: Thought Literacy Institute. (n.d.). Evidence Sorting. In Thought literacy core concepts. Retrieved [enter date], from https://thoughtliteracy.org/evidence-sorting/
- Please verify citation before using. For APA Style guidelines click here.
- Related Terms: looping evidence, neutral evidence, bridge evidence, thought reframing
