intermediate beliefs or assumptions, consists of views about the world that are less situation specific than automatic thoughts. They are essentially a type of rule or generalization that individuals develop as they process and categorize the patterns and information around them. These beliefs shape thoughts, which then influence behavior. Like automatic thoughts, assumptions can become distorted. For example, “If I am successful in the business world, I will be loved” and “If I do not make myself more physically attractive, I will never find a spouse” are dysfunctional assumptions.
