Final answer:
Nathan's claim that he "always loses, I never win" after a tournament demonstrates all-or-nothing thinking, a cognitive distortion where an individual perceives outcomes in extreme, absolute terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nathan's statements after losing both matches in the tournament are most consistent with C. all-or-nothing thinking. This type of thinking is characterized by viewing situations in only two categories instead of on a spectrum. For instance, someone who exhibits all-or-nothing thinking might think they are a complete success or a total failure without acknowledging any middle ground. This cognitive distortion leads individuals to overlook any positive outcomes or progress, focusing solely on the negative aspects.
An example of this in the media might involve a sports figure attributing a loss solely to poor officiating, thereby externalizing the blame and not recognizing any internal factors that could have contributed to the loss. On the flip side, upon winning, they might attribute their success strictly to their own hard work and talent, potentially ignoring other factors such as team effort or luck. These self-serving attributions are another form of cognitive distortion but are different from all-or-nothing thinking.