Negativity Bias: Velcro for Bad, Teflon for Good
Velcro and Teflon
Rick Hanson said: “The brain is like Velcro for negative experiences but Teflon for positive ones.”
You can receive ten compliments and one insult. Which one will you think about while lying in bed tonight? The insult. This is Negativity Bias. In the wild, missing a berry bush (positive) meant you got hungry. Missing a tiger (negative) meant you got dead. We evolved to obsess over threats.
Rewiring the Brain
To be happy, you must actively fight this bias. Good moments don’t stick naturally; you have to make them stick. Savor the coffee. Dwell on the compliment. It takes intentional effort to install happiness in a brain built for survival.
Paul Rozin
Editorial DeskThe OIYO editorial desk researches money, law, lifestyle, and self-understanding topics against primary sources and public statistics. Every piece carries source notes and is reviewed on a regular cycle for accuracy and usefulness.