Does it feel like you mostly notice what is going wrong? Do you tend to focus on the negative in your life more than taking in what goes well? The negativity bias in action.
If you answer in the affirmative to the above, you may identify as anxious. When we tend to focus more on the negative, the brain develops pathways for this behavior.
With consistent activation, our brains become biased. This negativity bias shapes behavior.
Even if you don’t believe this applies to you, keep reading. You may be surprised by what you find.
The brain is wired to focus on the negative. To scan for what is missing and what is wrong.
Looking for dangers may serve to protect us, to prevent some problems from becoming worse. Unfortunately, though, this mechanism in the brain may become overused biasing us toward the negative.
When overused, this scanning for danger feature of the brain becomes overly sensitized. Creating the negativity bias. Meaning, we may tend to ascribe threat when none exists.
But like most brain functions, this one can be rewired to be less sensitive. The result? You maintain balance in your life. You learn to “take in” both the good and the bad.
To scan for beneficial experiences, install them, and to utilize the information about dangers skillfully. Not perseverate on them.
Going Deeper
In this two-part series, “The Negativity Trap,” you will learn both science and practical strategies to illustrate how the negativity bias shapes behavior. From there, you learn to cultivate the skill of using the mind to balance the brain’s bias for focusing on the negative.
Find strategies to help you increase your sense of balance, calm, and competence while teaching children the social and emotional skills needed to prevent challenging behavior in children.
Click here for Part I: The Negativity Trap
Click here for Part 2: Avoiding the Negativity Trap
For more on this important topic, visit my Instagram, Facebook, or You Tube pages. Try Dr. Rick Hanson’s work as well!