We all make judgments, so why is it sometimes bad to be stating judgments? There are two types of judgments: discriminating and evaluative.
Judgments that are discriminating (i.e., I prefer X over Y) reflect personal preferences and subjective opinions. They are considered judgments that are effective in terms of not projecting one’s perception as a complete conclusion.
When judgments are evaluative (i.e., “This is horrible”), they state something as a whole and objectively. It is taking the facts of a situation and adding personal preferences, values, and opinions to make it an objective truth. This type of judgment is ineffective because others may view the same situation differently, whether it is marginally different or completely different.
By being nonjudgmental in DBT terms, it refers to evaluative judgments. By speaking in discriminative judgments, there is room for other interpretations and perceptions.
Want Support Applying This in Your Life?
Strong emotions can feel overwhelming, especially in relationships that matter. You don’t have to sort through them on your own.
I offer individual DBT therapy and DBT skills training for adults both online and in person to help you build emotional awareness, respond more effectively, and create healthier relationships.
My in-person offices are located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Torrance, California, and I provide online therapy across Nevada and California.
If you’re ready to bring a nonjudgmental stance into your daily life, reach out here to learn more or schedule a consultation.
You can explore more topics in the DBT Skills Series blog archive archive if you’re curious about other practical tools.
