What Is Negativity Bias?

By Josey Murray
Reviewed by Susan Ko, Ph.D.
January 27, 2025

It's easy to pay more attention to the negative information in our environments, our situations, and our lives than we do to the positive. After all, evolutionarily speaking, being aware of threats and potential negative outcomes has been extremely helpful in aiding humans’ survival. But in today's world, negativity bias can keep you from noticing the positive aspects of your life.

Negativity bias is something we can work on and change, fortunately. For example, a daily gratitude practice is one way to start seeing more of the positives in your life. A therapist can also help you develop skills for counteracting a negativity bias.