Final answer:
Perceptual distortions are errors in sensory perception, while cognitive distortions are errors in thinking or perception that can lead to irrational beliefs or negative thoughts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perceptual distortions refer to errors or inaccuracies in the way we perceive sensory information, such as seeing an illusion or experiencing an optical illusion. An example of a perceptual distortion is the Muller-Lyer illusion, where two lines with arrowheads on the ends appear to be different lengths even though they are actually the same length. This is due to our brain's tendency to perceive one line as being farther away than the other.
Cognitive distortions, on the other hand, are errors in our thinking or perception that can lead to irrational beliefs or negative thoughts. An example of a cognitive distortion is catastrophizing, where someone magnifies the importance or severity of a situation, turning a minor problem into a major one. For instance, someone might think that failing a single exam means they are a complete failure and will never succeed in life.