By Nishelle

The Negativity Bias: A Survival Mechanism

Humans are wired with what psychologists call the negativity bias. Our ancestors survived by paying close attention to threats—like predators, poisons, or hostile tribes. Positive experiences (a tasty fruit, a sunny day) were nice, but not life-or-death. Negative experiences often were.
This survival wiring lingers today, making our minds more sensitive to losses, criticism, or danger than to gains, praise, or safety.

The Subconscious Amplifier

The subconscious treats negative input like an alarm system, tagging it as urgent and storing it deeply. Even when we consciously want to focus on the positive, the subconscious often replays negative events, as if reminding us: “Don’t let this happen again.”

Negativity and Manifestation

When we fixate on negativity, we unintentionally manifest more of it.

“Energy flows where attention goes”.

Focusing on worries, doubts, or fears strengthens their hold, creating loops where we relive the same patterns.
But awareness is power—once we notice this bias, we can redirect focus toward constructive, empowering thoughts.

Why Positivity Feels Harder to Hold

• Novelty vs. Threat: Negative moments stand out more because they feel unusual or dangerous.
• Velcro vs. Teflon Effect: Negatives stick to our memory like Velcro, while positives often slide off like Teflon unless we consciously savor them.
• Social Reinforcement: Media, conversations, and even culture often amplify problems more than successes.

Rewriting the Bias

Negativity isn’t the enemy—it’s information. The real challenge is balance. By consciously practicing gratitude, reframing challenges, and visualizing desired outcomes, we override the bias and rewire the mind. Over time, positivity can become just as magnetic as negativity once was.

If all the above sounds like you and you want to do something about it – read this article here: Breaking Free