core belief

Deep-held guiding principle

A core belief is a fundamental conviction that shapes how someone sees themselves, others, or the world.

These beliefs often form early and operate below conscious awareness, influencing decisions and emotional responses: Her core belief that she was unlovable affected every relationship.

In psychology, identifying and challenging negative core beliefs is central to cognitive therapy.

Related

value · fundamental · truth · inner truth · assumption · gut feeling · worldview · doctrine · creed · tenet · deep-seated · foundation · identity · unwavering · sacred · certainty · ingrained · mantra

Categories
Opposites
stability/permanence

core beliefwhim

Sudden arbitrary desire

fleeting thought · passing fancy · fad · impulse · mood

conviction/certainty

core beliefuncertainty

State of being unsure

doubt · idle speculation · hunch · suspicion · agnosticism

depth of commitment

core beliefidle thought

Unserious mental musing

lip service

Family

core, belief, cores, cored, coring, hardcore, believe, believes, believed

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Top 200,000
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Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G