WHY NEGATIVITY ATTRACTS MORE THAN POSITIVITY?

NEGATIVITY is just one word to spell but the effects it has on people are disastrous. Have you ever been stuck on the things or feelings that you just cannot cope up with? Like an insult, or thoughts about making things right, fixing your mistakes.

Negative things are more likely to impact you as compared to positive things. We take criticisms more seriously than compliments. This is because negative energy or events impacts more on our brain than positive ones. Negative thoughts are strong.

NEGATIVITY BIAS:

The negative bias is our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily but also to dwell on these events. Also known as positive-negative asymmetry, this negativity bias means that we feel the sting of a rebuke more powerfully than we feel the joy of praise.

This psychological phenomenon explains why bad first impressions can be so difficult to overcome and why past traumas can have such long lingering effects. In almost any interaction, we are more likely to notice negative things and later remember them more vividly.

[verywellmind.com]

As human beings, we tend to think more about our past traumatic events even if the present is going well enough. If someone is praising us and on the other hand if someone is insulting us we react more towards the negative one. This shows that negativity attracts more.

Now let us take an example,

Suppose you are in your college taking classes and enjoying yourself with your friends and suddenly you caught up in a fight which spoils your mood. After returning home from all this chaos your mom asks you about your day and you reply with the word- terrible.   

Now you considered your day terrible because of all the fight even though it was a quite good day. That thing dwells on your mind after then. This is negativity bias.

WHAT RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT THIS:

· Psychological research says that negative bias encourages motivation to achieve something. If someone works to gain something then they lack the motivation to work on that thing but on the same hand if people are working because of losing something then they are more likely to work hard on that particular thing.

· Additionally, studies have shown that negative news is 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. [verywellmind.com]

In studies conducted by psychologist John Cacioppo, participants were shown pictures of either positive, negative, or neutral images. 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.

[verywellmind.com]

HOW TO OVERCOME NEGATIVE BIAS:

·   Start thinking positive things or thoughts. Stop negative self-talk. Try to focus on the good things in your life rather than dwelling on your negative thoughts.

·   Try to engage yourself in the activities that you enjoy. Shift your focus to the things that you like to do or that gives you pleasure.

·   Try to talk to someone close. Whenever you have negative thoughts, share them with someone with whom you are comfortable. Do not limit it to yourself.

·   If things do not seem well, consult it with a concerned doctor.