Why does the brain mostly remember tragic, bad or embarassing memories instead of the happy ones
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That’s weird because most of my memories are happy ones. But then again I’m not particularly enjoying life anymore (I’m not suicidal btw) so maybe it’s my mind looking for balance
Because happy memories are useless to your survival.
You remember that time you touched the stove because it was a lesson your brain wants you to remember: Don’t be an idiot.
The baseline your brain wants is for you to be content. Emotional net-neutrality. You can find happiness later, just be glad you aren’t dangling off a cliff missing a leg because of your bad decisions
It also tends to be the case that “bad” things are typically a lot easier to remember. “Bad” in a lot of cases just means “unexpected”. It’s a lot easier to remember things that were surprising/impactful.
You aren’t surprised when you go hiking for the 30th time, and nothing new happens. If anything, many might find it boring at that point. But, a surprise life or death experience with a rattle snake is definitely gonna make that 30th a day to remember. It stands out.
Depends who you are I suppose. I tend to ignore/forget tragic ones and focus on the good times of my life.
Mine doesn’t do that…I forget bad things.
…was talking to a buddy I hadn’t seen in 20 years the other night, and it underscored it…he brought up several things that happened to me back when we hung out that were negative and sometimes downright awful. I was like: “Remember that one cat tho?”
Happened last year with another old friend. I think I would be a really angry person if I remembered all the bad shit that has happened…but it’s just not there.
Doing a good job at remembering bad/scary/dangerous/negative stuff is going to keep you alive more than remembering nice things. Rinse and repeat through millions of years of evolution.
PTSD is the result of your brain labeling something “absolutely fucking never again AVOID AT ALL COST”.
I think it’s because our body responds physically to stressful stuff which triggers the amygdala, so heightened perceptions revolving around fear or anxiety means a stronger memory.
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