What is the negativity bias?

The negativity bias refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals pay more attention to negative experiences or information than to positive ones. This tendency arises because negative outcomes often have more significant implications for survival and well-being, prompting a stronger emotional reaction and creating a lasting imprint on our memory.

When someone encounters both positive and negative experiences, the negative ones typically provoke a more intense response, making them more memorable. This can lead to a skewed perception of reality, where bad events overshadow good ones, affecting one's mood, thoughts, and overall outlook. The negativity bias is a critical concept in understanding human behavior, mental health, and resilience, as it highlights the challenges individuals face in maintaining a balanced perspective in the face of adversity.

The other choices describe different concepts or patterns that do not accurately convey the essence of negativity bias, which specifically emphasizes the disproportionate weight we give to negative experiences in our cognitive processes.