Negativity Bias: Thoughts & Observations

“We want happiness that lasts, but stress and worry keep pushing it aside. That’s the brain’s “negativity bias” - that makes it like Velcro for negative experiences but Teflon for positive ones.”

-Rick Hanson, Psychologist

For the past week, I’ve been thinking and processing the fact that “negative” experiences and moments seem to carry much more weight than positives ones, even on a level playing field. I’ve recognized it in myself, others, and society as a whole. A few examples to present.

For myself, I think back to tests in school. If I were to get a 90% or above, I felt a moment of joy and then it would pass. I’d move onto what was next. If I were to get a 70% or below, it’d ruin my week. These two examples have similar positive and negative impact from a weighted perspective, but that’s not how we process.

Positive experience = short term, small peak of joy / happiness

Negative experience = longer term, deeper valley of sorrow / disappointment

Let’s zoom out to society now. This week in the stock market is a great example.

Let’s say, theoretically, the market dips by 1,000 points. Everyone loses their ever-loving minds, predicts recession, and stress ripples through life.

Let’s say, theoretically, the market spikes by 1,000 points. People may be excited, but the response is less drastic and much shorter lived. By the end of the day, we are often looking ahead, and even worrying about what’s next.

To be clear, I don’t think this is all bad. I think the pursuit of progress is necessary for humans to continue on. It’s also clear that the graph above looks different for everyone. I know individuals that would draw a much more bleak and drastic graph. I also know people that would draw a much brighter outlook.

However, I believe our negativity bias in western culture is becoming more and more of a concern. We don’t seem to be feeling, or basking in, joy as much. It seemingly comes and goes much quicker than what seems normal. There seems to be more panic and stress.

I don’t have a real solution to this, but all of this is built on where we direct our attention. Negativity and “bad news” attracts more attention than positivity and good news, most of the time. The more we feed that machine, the deeper we fall.

When good moments occur, I’ve been trying to lean in and recognize how quickly I fall off. My wife is much better at staying in the positive and that has a large impact on me, which proves how crucial the people around us are.

I’d love any thoughts or observations you may have.