Why is the brain more likely to remember the bad than the good? Neurocoach named 3 reasons

“Negative events and experiences are remembered much better than positive moments. We discuss them longer and remember them more often. And it is with these accumulated experiences that we come to a psychologist or psychotherapist for help. It’s a kind of tendency of the brain to pay more attention to the ‘bad’ stuff. So why does this happen?”

Pleasant moments are quickly forgotten, while hurtful or painful memories are firmly stored in the mind. This feature of the brain is called “negative bias” or “negative bias” How Memory Bias Affects Your Memories (theknowledge.io). It’s the tendency to pay more attention to negative information and remember it better than positive information. Which has a significant impact on our behavior, thinking, and emotional state.

Although good events and positive emotions also play an important role in our lives, it is negative experiences that the brain tends to remember more deeply and for longer periods of time. By tracing the mechanisms behind this, we can better understand ourselves and our reactions to the world around us, and find ways to balance remembering the good and the bad.

Reason 1: Evolutionary survival mechanisms

Through the process of evolution, the human brain has developed a negative bias. It was crucial for our ancestors to remember threats and dangers in order to avoid them in the future. Remembering good fortunes and joys was less critical. Remembering negative experiences – encounters with predators, poisonous plants, places with difficult survival conditions – provided a significant advantage.

Those individuals whose brains were better at registering threats were more likely to survive and leave offspring. Over time, this negative memory bias became entrenched at the genetic level.

Research shows that negative memories are formed faster and retained longer than positive memories. Negative information is also processed in more depth and detail.

Scientists explain this by preferentially allocating brain resources to encoding the worse of two events of roughly equal importance because it is more important for survival.

Reason 2. Brain physiology

The processing of negative information is handled by the amygdala, an ancient part of the brain associated with emotion and memory. The amygdala is responsible for recognizing and processing emotionally colored information, especially related to fear and threats. It receives signals from sensory organs such as vision and hearing, as well as other parts of the brain.

When threatening or negative information is received, the amygdala activates and creates a powerful release of neurotransmitters and stress hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol.

These chemicals enhance the emotional coloring of memories and help them become better anchored in neural circuits. Negative memories are captured more deeply and vividly.

In addition, the amygdala is closely linked to the hippocampus, the area of the brain that converts short-term memory into long-term memory. High levels of stress promote better memorization.

Reason 3. The importance of negative experiences

Our brain instinctively focuses more attention on negative events, seeing them as a potential threat. This is due to increased alertness and readiness for action.

When reflecting on negative experiences, the brain seeks to find causes, analyze cues and lessons to avoid similar situations in the future. This process requires a large amount of cognitive resources.

Thus, negative experiences are remembered better because it was evolutionarily important for survival. The brain pays more attention to it, perceiving it as a potential threat, and devotes resources to scrutinizing it to learn lessons for the future.

Men’s brains are more critical and negative

Rita Carter, in her book How the Brain Works, writes that “as men age, they may become more critical and negative in their thinking.” However, this is not a universal pattern, much depends on individual personality traits and life circumstances.

Some factors that can contribute to the development of more critical and negative thinking in men are:

• A decrease in testosterone levels associated with a more optimistic attitude. This can occur as early as age 30-40;
• disappointments and stresses accumulated over the years, such as career failures, problems in family life, etc…;
• conservative thinking and less flexibility, unwillingness to change;
• deteriorating physical health, which also negatively affects emotional well-being;
• feelings of loneliness, especially after retirement and children leaving home.

At the same time, many men become wiser with age, more tolerant and better able to control negative emotions. An active lifestyle, hobbies, and social support help keep a positive outlook. Much depends on personality traits, lifestyle and the ability to adapt to change.

How to avoid becoming pessimistic and avoid excessive negative thinking?

Practice mindfulness

Notice when your thoughts become unnecessarily negative and consciously shift your attention to the positives. Look at the world around you. Find the pleasant and beautiful things there. Focus on the good things with the help of questions.

Ask yourself:

• What good did this event bring me?
• What is the downside of an unpleasant surprise?
• What new things did I learn?
• What positive conclusions did I draw?

Keep a gratitude journal

Write down what you are grateful for on a daily basis. It helps to focus on the positive aspects of life. Let it be basic things like electricity, internet, phone, space to live, food, being able to walk and breathe. The brain will get used to seeing the good in simple things without devaluing them. Then move on to appreciating people and events.

Avoid generalizations

Don’t take isolated negative events as a pattern. Analyze them separately, without negative expectations for the future. Remember that every event is an experience that makes us stronger and more mature. And what seems negative today will seem positive tomorrow.

Prioritize

Many negative thoughts arise from focusing on insignificant things. Focus on the truly important life goals and values.

Ask yourself:

• Can this thought help me achieve my goal?

• Is this really important to me?

The key is to be aware of your negative mindset and actively work towards a more positive and balanced mindset.

Find a hobby

Aside from work, sports and socializing with friends, there should be something that inspires you and makes you smile. Something that you can do endlessly, even if you are tired, even if you are in a bad mood. It is this activity that will help you come out of gloomy and critical thoughts and return to a state of enthusiasm and interest.

Seek help

If the negative thoughts become obsessive, do not hesitate to consult a psychologist or psychotherapist. This will help to avoid depression and withdrawal. There are many services with free psychological help.