When a PUBLIC FIGURE does something BAD, why r we more LIKELY 2 remember that, rather than the GOOD thing?

Question

Are we really so negatively minded?

Answer 1

It's not being negative - it's being practical. We remember all bad things to prepare us for the future. We also remember good things. But they aren't quite so important. You enjoy a nice summers day. You don't need to remember it - maybe you will for some particular reason. But a smack on the nose, that really hurts will stick in your mind for ever - and hopefully next time you'll duck. When politicians give us a smack on the nose - we remember and often vote accordingly.

Answer 2

We tend to latch onto things about which we can make a comparative moral judgement. For instance, if someone receives some good news or does some good, you might be pleased for them but it has no bearing on your perception of yourself. However, if they do something terrible, it allows you to feel morally superior to them. The good they've done and what they've achieved in life doesn't have this affect on you, but once they degrade themselves by doing something bad, it brings out an unpleasant righteousness in us that inevtiably sticks in the mind.

Answer 3

I think it's because as humans we see these people and hold them to higher standard than we would some average person on the street. It's almost like they can hold a curtain over they're real self so we can't see thier faults, but when we do we capitalize on it. I guess in some way seeing and knowing they have faults makes us feel better about ourselves.

Answer 4

public figures do good things? j/k maybe because the media knows drama sells so they flood the world with bad news to keep your attention. and it works. example. do you stop the mail man deliver mail , knowing he is doing a good job, probably not but i bet you are the first one down the block if there is a car crash. again i must say it is because we crave the drama.

Answer 5

When a public figure does something nasty or out of character, we (fuelled by the newspapers) gleefully love it when these so called perfect people show that they are just like us.

Answer 6

its the way stuffs reported. newspapers think thats what we wanna read all day long & to be fair its usually more interesting??

Answer 7

it receives more publicity