In almost any interaction, we are more likely to notice negative things and later remember them more vividly.
You then find yourself stewing over his words for the rest of the workday.
Motivation
Psychological research suggests that the negative bias influences motivation to complete a task.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
This can play a role in your motivation to pursue a goal.
Bad News
Additionally, studies have shown thatnegative newsis more likely to be perceived as truthful.
Since negative information draws greater attention, it also may be seen as having greater validity.
This might be why bad news seems to garner more attention.
Politics
Differences in negativity bias have also been linked to political ideology.
Some research suggests that conservatives may have stronger psychological responses to negative information than liberals.
Do any of these situations and events seem familiar?
This meant they were also more likely to hand down the genes that made them more attentive to danger.
Are You a Pessimist?
Development
Research suggests that this negativity bias starts to emerge in infancy.
Brain studies indicate that around this time, babies begin to experience greater brain responses to negative stimuli.
There is some evidence that the bias may actually start even earlier in development.
The researchers then observed electrical activity in the brain.
Negative images produced a much stronger response in the cerebral cortex than did positive or neutral images.
Relationships
The negativity bias can have a profound effect on your relationships.
Arguments and resentment are often the results.
Decision-Making
The negative bias can have an influence on thedecision-making process.
People Perception
When forming impressions of others, people also tend to focus more on negative information.
After an event takes place, you might find yourself thinking things like I shouldnt have done that.
This negative self-talk shapes how you think about yourself and others.
A better tactic is to stop those thoughts whenever they begin.
So when something great happens, take a moment to really focus on it.
Replay the moment several times in your memory and focus on the wonderful feelings the memory evokes.
2013;8(10):e76564.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0076564
Alberini CM.Long-term memories: The good, the bad, and the ugly.Cerebrum.
