Do people normally have a "negativity bias"?

[OneSheep]

What I meant is the bias isn’t natural to us. I think judgment of others is bad and judgement of ourselves is bad.

When I use the word “judgment” I am talking about the natural impulse to condemn myself (guilt) when I misbehave, or to condemn someone else when they misbehave. I agree that there can be some negative ramifications, but for the most part do you see that there is a social benefit to this impulse? I am talking about initial reactions, not about hanging onto condemnation.

But putting others before ourselves is our true nature and doing it lifts us up because we find the meaning of life…

Yours is a refreshingly positive view of humanity!

What I am adding is that we can look at what appears to be a negative, and see it in a positive way. The question becomes "why did God give us that capacity? that emotion? that impulse? etc.

I always find an answer that shows the beauty of what He created.

Did you know, for example, that chimpanzees also condemn “bad behavior” in their groups? They are also social animals that rely on cooperation.

 

[Benadam]

, but for the most part do you see that there is a social benefit to this impulse? I am talking about initial reactions, not about hanging onto condemnation.

Yes, in as much as society depends on living in harmony with others.

Yours is a refreshingly positive view of humanity!

What I am adding is that we can look at what appears to be a negative, and see it in a positive way. The question becomes "why did God give us that capacity? that emotion? that impulse? etc.

So, we would be able to know before we do something we can decide if it is something we ought not do. If we want to avoid the feeling.

Did you know, for example, that chimpanzees also condemn “bad behavior” in their groups? They are also social animals that rely on cooperation.

What is condemnation to a chimpanzee?

 

[OneSheep]

So, we would be able to know before we do something we can decide if it is something we ought not do. If we want to avoid the feeling.

Exactly, this is part of how it works. Fascinating, isn’t it?

What is condemnation to a chimpanzee?

My favorite example, from Franz de Waal:

“One balmy evening at the Arnhem Zoo, when the keeper called the chimps inside, two adolescent females refused to enter the building. The weather was superb. They had the whole island to themselves and they loved it. The rule at the zoo was that none of the apes would get fed until all of them had moved inside. The obstinate teenagers caused a grumpy mood among the rest. When they finally did come in, several hours late, they were assigned a separate bedroom by the keeper so as to prevent reprisals. This protected them only temporarily, though. The next morning, out on the island, the entire colony vented its frustration about the delayed meal by a mass pursuit ending in a physical beating of the culprits. That evening, they were the first to come in.”

The colony hung onto the resentment toward the two until they were able to carry out the punishment!

 

[Benadam]

Exactly, this is part of how it works. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Yeah, especially when we consider shame having a function.

The colony hung onto the resentment toward the two until they were able to carry out the punishment!

LOL! I guess without law enforcement ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

 

[OneSheep]

LOL! I guess without law enforcement ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Okay, the tatoo doesn’t work, but I could find an image with a badge.

 

[Benadam]

Now that is awesome!