Published: Irish Examiner
Author: Geraldine Walsh
Expert Opinion: Dr. Malie Coyne
“’Negativity bias’ refers to the way in which negative experiences weigh more heavily on the brain than others. We’ve evolved to be fearful and heavily attuned to the strong possibility of a threat, in order to sustain our survival, whilst underestimating our resources to manage.
Left unchecked, the negativity bias can become a serious impediment to good mental health, as it has been found to be synonymous with anxiety and depression. Studies in psychology and neuroscience have shown that for every upsetting thing that happens, we need five positives to balance it. Knowing that not all emotions are equal gives us a sense of control over what we can do to counterbalance negativity, and this is where making a conscious effort to be compassionate towards ourselves and others comes into play.”