Negatively Wired

Why does the subconscious mind lean so naturally toward negativity? To understand this, we need to explore how the neurological wiring of our brains shapes our psychological identities. Unfortunately, this wiring often tilts toward the negative, leading to outcomes like low self-esteem or an inherently pessimistic outlook.

Imagine your mind as a fertile field, ready for planting. The soil is rich, and the conditions are perfect. Whatever you plant will grow. Plant maize, and you’ll harvest healthy maize. But plant weeds and you’ll cultivate a thriving patch of weeds instead. Your subconscious operates similarly. Positive thoughts lead to positivity, while negative messages foster negativity. But here’s the challenge: when weeds and wheat grow together, the weeds tend to dominate, choking the positive growth.

This happens because the human brain is naturally wired to prioritise negative stimuli. Evolutionarily, this made sense. Picture yourself watching a breathtaking African sunset when, out of nowhere, a lion charges toward you. In that instant, your brain doesn’t prioritise the beauty of the sunset; it fixates on the threat. This neurological wiring, centred in the amygdala, ensures we focus on potential danger. As Dr. Rick Hansen explains, this “ancient circuitry” is deeply embedded in us. It’s why our brains act like Velcro for negative experiences but Teflon for positive ones.

The amygdala, two almond-shaped structures in the brain, uses most of its neurons to scan for bad news. When it detects a threat, it triggers an alarm, rapidly storing negative events in memory. Conversely, positive experiences take longer to process and require sustained attention—about 10 seconds—to move from short-term to long-term memory.

Unfortunately, our environments reinforce this bias. Research shows that negativity dominates the messages we receive. For instance, Dr. Maryann Rozenthal found that parents give 96% of their attention to children in the form of threats, commands, and criticisms, but only 4% being positive. Similarly, Dr. Pieter van Jaarsveld’s studies revealed that teachers provide 18 negative comments for every positive one. These patterns leave a lasting imprint. Growing up in environments saturated with negativity wires our brains to prioritise these messages. This constant reinforcement creates a psychological reality where negativity becomes the default setting.

But understanding this wiring is the first step to change. By recognising how negativity takes root in our subconscious, we can begin to rewire our minds for positivity. Next week we’ll explore how this negative wiring affects us neurologically and the steps we can take to cultivate a more positive mindset.