04/16/2025

When Negativity Bias Infects Your Story

Sadly, most humans pay attention to criticism more than praise

Imagine you are presented a new job opportunity with upsides and downsides. On one side, it is a new role with more responsibility. On the other side, it is in California, 3,500 miles away from home. You will need to leave friends and family and start fresh somewhere else. On one side, it pays more; on the other side, the expenses and taxes in California are higher than your current spending. On one side, the product is exciting, however, on the other side, you are due a promotion at your current employer and do not want to lose the opportunity. How would you make the decision? Do you have a clear criterion?

The answer to the question is much easier than you think. You are most likely to decide based on the influence of the negativity bias. You will tend to weigh the negative sides of the decision at a greater weight than the positive. Did you know that the negativity bias even exists, let alone its strong influence on your life's story?

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves dwelling on negative outlook more than we do on positive opportunities. We pay attention to criticism more than to praise, remembering insults more vividly than compliments. The phenomenon, known as negativity bias, is a fundamental aspect of human psychology that influences everything from our personal relationships to our financial decisions and political choices.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Chief Executive.