Can our expectations for the future change how we remember the past? According to a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, they can—we remember unpleasant experiences more negatively if we expect to endure them again.
Researchers at New York University and Carnegie Mellon University conducted seven experiments to determine how people’s expectations shape their memories. In one test, they exposed 30 students to the noise of a vacuum cleaner for 40 seconds. Afterward, half were told they would have to hear the noise again, whereas the rest were told the study was over. Everyone was then asked to rate how irritated they were by the noise. Students who expected to hear it again consistently found it more irritating. Other tests involving stimuli that bored and annoyed subjects all yielded the same results.
Jeff Galak, a Carnegie Mellon behavioral scientist who worked on the study, suggests that we remember hardships as worse than they actually were so that when we face those experiences again, they will be less painful than we expect. Galak thinks that by understanding this “bracing” strategy individuals can learn to overcome it and stop fearing exaggerated pain. He acknowledges that doing so may backfire, however—it is possible, he says, that by bracing for the worst, we actually suffer less.
This article was originally published with the title The Power of Negative Thinking.
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5 Comments
Add CommentThe last two sentences make no sense. In the last sentence, the 'however' seems to separate two clauses that agree with each other (the first clause refers to the condition set in the previous sentence). Am I right?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisF.E.A.R = false evidence appearing real.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThat last sentence is quirky with the "however" in the middle. However usually means "conversely" but not in this case. I think the placement of the word is what makes the difference. In this case, the dash continues the same thought. I am not sure it could be called grammatically correct, but after reading it a few times I understand it. I interpret the last two sentences "together" (very important) to say this: If you learn to overcome the "bracing strategy" then you may be disabling something that was put there for your own benefit.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thislamorpa, the sentences do make sense and are grammatically correct, but require a bit of parsing to be clear. Re-write them this way:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this1. ...By understanding this “bracing” strategy individuals can learn to overcome it and stop fearing exaggerated pain.
2. *However*, doing so may backfire.
3. The reason it may backfire is that by overcoming it you may be disabling something that was put there for your own benefit.
what an oxymoron, power of negative thinking...good to recognize one can change one's thoughts...positive thoughts become much more prolific when we acknowledge whatever the FEAR is...by comparing past experiences and expecting same outcome one's safety and security are seemingly threatened so one rationalizes and justifies by comparing and creates the duplicity of negativity....one may do this for years before denial falls off. looking at life with love rather than fear, having gratitude for all people, places and things brings about a life of abundance - whatever one values as abundance is available. the universe gives the experiences needed to move us in the direction of a higher good....grow more toward this gracious, open living and BE who we are authentically. don't BRACE for the worst or prepare for it, know that life is good - and it will be good.
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