Negativity Bias: Definition, Examples and Effects

Negativity bias is a psychological phenomenon in which people tend to focus on and remember negative experiences more than positive ones. It is a cognitive bias that causes people to pay more attention to negative events and emotions than positive ones. This bias can have a significant impact on how people perceive and interact with the world around them.

Definition: Negativity bias is a psychological phenomenon in which people tend to focus on and remember negative experiences more than positive ones. It is a cognitive bias that causes people to pay more attention to negative events and emotions than positive ones.

Examples: Negativity bias can manifest in a variety of ways. For example, people may be more likely to remember negative comments or experiences than positive ones. They may also be more likely to focus on the negative aspects of a situation rather than the positive ones. Additionally, people may be more likely to interpret ambiguous situations in a negative light.

Effects: Negativity bias can have a significant impact on how people perceive and interact with the world around them. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Additionally, it can lead to negative behaviors such as avoidance, procrastination, and pessimism. Negativity bias can also lead to difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, as well as difficulty making decisions.

Do you want to expand your knowledge on this topic? Read our full in-depth article on cognitive biases.

Do you have extra 15 minutes today? Takeour fun and interactive quiz to learn which of 16 reasoning styles you use, your overall level of rationality, and what you can do now to improve your rationality skills.