Skip to content

There is a tendency for humans to consciously see what…

“There is a tendency for humans to consciously see what they wish to see. They literally have difficulty seeing things with negative connotations while seeing with increasing ease items that are positive. For example, words that evoke anxiety, either because of an individuals personal history or…” quote by Lionel Tiger
Download Open image
“There is a tendency for humans to consciously see what they wish to see. They literally have difficulty seeing things with negative connotations while seeing with increasing ease items that are positive. For example, words that evoke anxiety, either because of an individuals personal history or because of experimental manipulation, require greater illumination before first being perceived.”

Lionel Tiger

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People tend to notice and remember positive information more readily than negative, leading to biased perception and decision‑making.

In simple terms: We favor positive over negative info.

Key Takeaway

Seek balanced perspectives.

Themes

cognitive bias perception psychology

Mood

critical analytical

Type

psychological advice

When to use this quote

  • media consumption
  • personal decision making
  • clinical assessment

Key Concepts

confirmation bias negativity bias attention focus

Questions to Reflect On

  • How might you challenge your own positive bias?
  • What strategies help you notice negative signals?
A Different Perspective

Positive bias can cause blind spots.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Lionel Tiger

Explore all 10 Lionel Tiger quotes

More Anxiety quotes

Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes