negativity bias

Meanings

nounnegativity bias (countable and uncountable, plural negativity biases)

countableuncountableThe notion that things of a more negative nature have a greater effect on one's psychological state than neutral or positive things.
Just as there’s evidence for a positivity effect though, so too is there research suggesting the existence of a negativity bias.
2015 January 16, Pete Etchells, “Declinism: is the world actually getting worse?”, in The Guardian
Synonyms: negativity effect, negative bias

nounThe notion that things of a more negative nature have a greater effect on one's psychological state than neutral or positive things.

Similar

negativity effectnegative bias

Chinese Mandarin 負面偏誤 /负面偏误

Finnish kielteisyysvinouma

German Negativitätsverzerrung

Cite this entry

APA

negativity bias. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negativity%20bias

MLA

“negativity bias.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negativity%20bias. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “negativity bias,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negativity%20bias.