Why We Focus So Much On The Bad Stuff
The human brain has evolved through a set of precautions that have forced us to be more aware of the bad than the good. Can we fight it?
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Last week’s NAN was a lesson on the baseline our happiness relies on, and how we may either improve the baseline or accept it. But during the week, one thing was biting my mind repeatedly, so I wrote it down and tweeted it on Saturday:
Typically, I wanted to know why this was the way it was and if it can also be gamed. Like several other things that affect us, I found out this has already been researched and named.
The Negativity Bias
Also known as the negativity effect, it means that “even when of equal intensity, things of a more negative nature (e.g. unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or social interactions; harmful/traumatic events) have a greater effect on one's psychological state and processes than neutral or positive things.”
The conundrum that is the human mind has taken years of evolving to achieve its current state; some positive, some not exactly great. According to psychologist Rick Hanson, a negativity bias has been built into our brains based on millions of years of evolution when it comes to dealing with threats.
Psychology writer, Scott Frothingham, explains that “our ancestors lived in difficult environments. They had to gather food while avoiding deadly obstacles. Noticing, reacting to, and remembering predators and natural hazards (negative) became more important than finding food (positive). Those who avoided the negative situations passed on their genes.”
That we are likely to remember heartbreak instead of the lovely moments we shared, or that an employer is likely to remember a mistake, instead of all the good things that you have done, is not because of innate evil. Their brains have just been wired to be that way.
Figuring The Stuff Out
We no longer live in the type of jungle that our ancestors lived in and the threats to our lives and progression are different. Yet, we continue to live on the brink of anticipating the next negative occurrence that will give us a jolt of positivity.
For instance, a 2016 article for Nielsen Norman Group revealed that “people tend to guard against losses by giving greater significance to even small probabilities. The negative feelings from losing $50 are stronger than the positive feelings of finding $50. In fact, people will commonly work harder to avoid losing $50 than they will to gain $50. While humans may not need to be on constant high alert for survival like our ancestors, negative bias can still affect how we act, react, feel, and think. For example, older research points out that when people make decisions, they put greater importance on the negative event aspects than on the positive. This can affect choices and willingness to take risks.”
Conversely, while this may seem like something we do to ourselves, it is also a punishment we serve to others. For instance, a lot of first impressions are usually based on observed negative traits and only when the positive is overwhelming do we overlook the negative. You are more likely to remember someone who clumsily fell off the stairs on a first date than someone who did not. You are more likely to remember when a co-worker annoyed you than when they paid for your lunch.
While it may seem daunting, however, one of the reasons it is important to understand biases is so that we can spot them and stop them. For negativity bias, it is not any different.
Spotting the bias then makes it easier for you to stop yourself in your tracks and work your way back to a healthy place. Scott Frothingham also said that “you can increase positivity by being mindful of what is and isn’t important in your life and focus on valuing and appreciating the positive aspects. It’s also recommended that you break the pattern of negative reactions and allow positive experiences to register deeply.”
Teach yourself to look away from the bad stuff and see the good stuff. The good thing is that this will also improve your happiness baseline.
TEA
After years of military rule, Nigeria returned to democratic governance on May 29, 1999, and until recently, that was the national holiday for celebrating that escape from tyranny.
June 12 is now officially the celebration of Nigeria’s democracy day, in respect for MKO Abiola, a democratically elected President who was prevented from playing his role by the Nigerian military. In this new episode of Nigeria’s Whitewashed Heads of State series, I look at the man, his story, and his legacy.
Until the next NAN, be kind to yourself and the world around you; be patient with yourself and others; love yourself and the people around you; do not give up on things that matter to you unless giving up will provide you more peace and security.