30/10/2025
Why do bad moments stick more than good ones?🤔
That’s negativity bias.
It's a universal phenomenon, explaining that negative events elicit more rapid and more prominent responses than non-negative events.
It can explain why bad first impressions can be difficult to overcome, or why past traumas can have such long lingering effects.
More examples:
- Hearing bad news on the radio, and carrying this with you, even though positive stories were shared too.
- Receiving many positive comments about your work, but fixating on one piece of criticism.
Why does this happen?
Research shows that our brains react more strongly to negative things than to positive ones. when scientists measure brain activity, they find that negative events trigger a bigger response in the brain compared to positive or neutral events.*
What's the impact of negativity bias?
While it’s normal, it can sometimes lead to:
- Increased stress and anxiety
- Lower self-esteem
- Reduced motivation
- Noticing what went wrong more than what went right
So, what can you do if you begin to notice that its taking a toll?
You might like to practice small changes, like:
- Pause to really take in compliments & small wins.
- Ask yourself: “what went well today too?”
- Notice small positives in daily life (a smile, fresh air, a good coffee).
or, visit a mental health practitioner for support.
We know it’s not easy. If you need support, we’re here to guide you through life’s wins, challenges, and everything in-between.
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*Source: Ito, T. A., Larsen, J. T., Smith, N. K., & Cacioppo, J. T. (1998). Negative information weighs more heavily on the brain: The negativity bias in evaluative categorizations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75(4), 887–900. research shows that our brains react more strongly to negative things than to positive ones. when scientists measure brain activity, they find that negative events trigger a bigger response in the brain compared to positive or neutral events.
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