Negativity bias

Recall biases biases

Negativity bias is when we remember unpleasant or threatening information more easily than pleasant or neutral information. Bad experiences and criticism stick; good ones fade faster. That can make us overly cautious, anxious, or unfair to ourselves and others when we weigh the past.

Examples

  • You remember one harsh comment from a review for years, while the many positive comments are quickly forgotten.

  • A single bad meal at a restaurant overshadows several good ones, so you avoid going back.

  • One embarrassing moment in a presentation stays vivid; the parts that went well are harder to recall.

  • You dwell on a criticism from a colleague and forget the compliments and support you have received from the same person.

  • News about a crime in your area is remembered and affects your sense of safety more than long periods without incident.

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