As we all try to deal with the reality of COVID-19, it's
difficult not to be afraid. Does it help
to know that our brains are hard wired to focus on the negative?
Research shows that our strongest memories are those that
are associated with emotion. And that
negative emotions are more powerful and more memorable than positive ones.
Since
the primary function of emotion is to guide action and plan for future
occurrences, it makes sense that we would remember the bad more than the good
since we don't want to repeat our mistakes. (Kensinger, 2007)
But, there's more to it than just that.
Thanks to our preference for using comparisons in decision-making,
we are also subject to "concept creep." (Levari, 2018)
That's when we continually lower the bar for what's
making us worry. So while at first you
might have been worried if you didn't wear a mask when you went out, now with
the continual onslaught of bad news, you might be too worried to go out at
all. Despite the fact that nothing has
actually changed. Because what has
changed is your belief about what constitutes dangerous behavior. And that
operates on a sliding scale.
A while back, my brother spent the afternoon with Tom
Lehrer, and Tom told him this joke...
A man on death row was on his way to be executed. As he and the guard walked down the hallway
together, the guard asked him "Are you worried?" And the prisoner replied "Why? Would it
help?"
Every time I start to worry I remember that joke, take a
deep breath, and soldier on. Give it a try.
It might help. :-)
Kensinger, E. (2007) Negative Emotion Enhances Memory
Accuracy. Association for Psychological Science.
Retrieved May 30, 2016, from https://www2.bc.edu/elizabeth-kensinger/Kensinger_CD07.pdf
Levari, D. (2018, June 28)
Why your brain never runs out of problems to find. theconversation.com. Retrieved April 8, 2020, from https://theconversation.com/why-your-brain-never-runs-out-of-problems-to-find-98990
