Why do we respond more to the negative over the positive; to criticism more than praise? Why do we worry so much? How can we stop our negative thought patterns? Science shows this negative thinking is innate, it’s our negativity bias and it explains why negative events and emotions affect us more strongly than positive ones. Our guests today, John Tierney and Roy Baumeister, explain why our brains work in this way and how we can recognise the negativity effect and break destructive patterns. 

Ella and Matt’s recommendations: This Is Us, History Hit, Tudor Dynasties and Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library

John Tierney and Roy Baumeister, The Power of Bad

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