Why does the brain mostly remember tragic, bad or embarassing memories instead of the happy ones
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The brain stores memories by emotions. So if you think of a negative memory other negative memories will start to come to mind as well. Thankfully the same goes for positive memories–if you think of good times that will be linked to other times you were happy that will come to mind.
This is called negativity bias. As others have pointed out it likely serves an evolutionary benefit. You can go on a hike and for 99.99% of the time, you were enjoying the good weather and views but afterwards you’ll focus on the 0.01% of the time where you almost got bit by a venomous snake and that will define the trip. It makes us more prepared for the future.
Research says that this tends to disappear as we age and we can even lean towards a positivity bias.
Evolutionary benefit. Evolutionary benefit. Evolutionary benefit. Evolutionary benefit. Evolutionary benefit. Evolutionary benefit. Evolutionary benefit. Evolutionary benefit.
Survival strategy, basically evolution has meant that anything that was dangerous, bad or even socially embarrassing and how the situation was dealt with is important so you can avoid a similar issue next time.
So you don’t repeat them. You remember stupid shit you did way more than fine/normal/good stuff you did cause you don’t want it to happen again, if you forget, you will make the same mistake. You dislike feeling bad and embarrassed so you want to minimises doing that to yourself again.
I’m assuming it’s because they made a bigger impact on the mental. Like a wound leaving a scar. But you’re not alone, I can remember every stupid thing I’ve ever done. Have to dig deep for the good ones.
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