trait negativity bias

the tendency for negative personality traits to play a greater role than positive personality traits in determining overall impressions and to be cited more often in attributions of motive. Also called negativity bias. See also bad is stronger than good; positive–negative asymmetry.

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Psychology term of the day

February 20th 2025

activity rhythm

the pattern of individual behavior over the course of a day, month, or year that exhibits a clear cycle of activity more or less in synchrony with temporal cues. For example, rats are generally active for approximately 12 hours a day, during the hours of darkness. See biological rhythm.