Why Do People Prefer Negative Attention Over No Attention At All?

Answer 1

Ever heard of imprinting? Problem with it is that it doesn't keep blanks, you can't have blanks!!!! So the human mind doesn't see in absences, or rather lets say you don't have a father, you'll take ANYTHING to represent the place of that missing father, sports hero, scienctist, just SOMETHING has to fill the blank. Same with attention, we NEED attention and well do anything to get it, the nature of it doesn't matter to the process of imprinting, thats up to the mind to figure out later. So "No" is never an option. You can't live with NO father, you'll pick a neglectful and absent father before you'd accept you had no father, the nature is the same..... shoot even if you go with the ideal that you have "no" father thats acutally hiding the true feelings, that you feel your father is neglectful and absent and thats why you keep him away. crazy state of the mind..... the mind with love no matter what, how is always the big kicker.....

Answer 2

When you say "people", do you mean "all" people or can it be "some" people? To me, it sounds a lot like you mean people in general and that implies "all" people. If that is the case, I disagree. "Some " are addicted to attention, even if they prefer "no attention". Either way they will get it, simply because they offer the signal or vibration of attention. Some however have never been addicted or have gotten over their addiction to attention. Those with the addiction cannot believe that others could possibly be able to live without it. It's the story of the blind men and the elephant. Those without the addiction can't understand what all this unnecessary squabbling is about. Their addictions are much more interesting, they think. A good example is the person who believes himself to be invisible. This is also related to attention but he normally doesn't know it. He is only focussed on invisibility. I personally am one of those when I am mechanical. When I am more awake I can watch the play from offstage and experiment for fun. This is when I can observe and verify what works. This is also where I can manipulate events like a puppet master. It's what I enjoy. It is also what I am addicted to. The good news is that I know this and can work with it if it suits some of my other addictions.(can read "habits" if if is less offensive to you).
The short answer is they prefer (can read need, enjoy, love, hate, detest, or whatever requires a lot of attention) because it has developed into a neurological and psychological and spiritual habit or addiction.
What determines whether they do or not is the inborn
influence of hard-wired predispositions. This is where the "some" comes in. This is also another story, albeit interconnected with this answer, another chapter or ten, best left till the question is asked. Cheers!

Answer 3

it's kind of like this.....
not that I'd go this way, but some people just need (not crave) attention. The best is the kind where people love you. The second best is when you have a few people who love you, or where most people simply take a positive notice of you. The next best thing is when people take a negative out look on you, because it at least shows that they can see you, rather than being cast away in the shadows and ignored from earth entirely. The worst kind is when no one sees you at all, and the shadows blend you into their hands.

I guess the negative attention just gives them mild hope that one day the negativity will turn positive. If they have no attention at all, what hope of attention do they have?

Answer 4

You're probably used to positive attention from people that it doesn't even really have an impact on you anymore. Negative attention is different and in a way, stimulating to your nonchalance. Maybe, you like that sense of control because that is the only thing that you can control in your life. Also, you just want to be noticed in a new and different way besides the normal things that you are known for.

Answer 5

Human beings are social creatures. In order to surive, we need constant feedback and reinforcement from others. Negative attention provides a social interaction between individuals and allows people to have the contact necessary to keep functioning.
Interestingly enough, at a young age, children who are neglected often end up worse than children who are abused. Though neither is good, the abuse still allows for contact of some sort...neglect often leads to lack of contact, which can be pretty detrimental.

Answer 6

As human beings we need attention it's one way of making sure that we're not the only ones on the earth. Especailly children if they can't get good attention from their parents they will do any thing to get bad attention, So parents who have children who really act out should ask them selfs how much good attention they give thier children.

Answer 7

The need for attention is simply so strong, and the pain if we are starved for it so bad, that we'd rather take negative attention than none. Just like a starving person will eat anything rather than starve. It's a testament to how strong our need is for attention, nothing more.

Answer 8

Basic nature of human being is to survive on Attention, as it is food and nourishment for growth. so every one tries to seek and fulfill one Self. It may be positive or negative. but seek it must. so no-attention is just going hungry .and who want to die of a hunger when food is available in plenty.

Answer 9

They need to know they matter somehow to someone.

Answer 10

My answer is facetious, so please take it in that vein: Is that why you asked this question? I am Sirius