--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a built-in mechanism by which we…" description: "\"There is a built-in mechanism by which we respond fairly strongly and fairly negatively to somebody who is being negative or to somebody who is simply ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/andrew-b-newberg-46290_brain_there-is-a-built-in-mechanism-by-which-w_1333851.jpg" --- # There is a built-in mechanism by which we respond fairly… ![“There is a built-in mechanism by which we respond fairly strongly and fairly negatively to somebody who is being negative or to somebody who is simply disagreeing with us, in which case it's a very unhappy position for our brain to be in. Our brain does not want us to be wrong. Because that has…” quote by Andrew B. Newberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/andrew-b-newberg-46290_brain_there-is-a-built-in-mechanism-by-which-w_1333851.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/andrew-b-newberg-46290_brain_there-is-a-built-in-mechanism-by-which-w_1333851.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/andrew-b-newberg-46290_brain_there-is-a-built-in-mechanism-by-which-w_1333851.jpg) > “There is a built-in mechanism by which we respond fairly strongly and fairly negatively to somebody who is being negative or to somebody who is simply disagreeing with us, in which case it's a very unhappy position for our brain to be in. Our brain does not want us to be wrong. Because that has very dire consequences in terms of our overall survival.” [Andrew B. Newberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-b-newberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The brain resists being wrong, causing strong reactions to negativity or dissent. **In simple terms:** Our minds dislike being wrong, leading to negative feelings. Key Takeaway Practice openness to opposing views. Themes cognitive bias neuroscience conflict Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - debates - team meetings - online discussions Key Concepts psychology social cognition Questions to Reflect On - Why do we fear being wrong? - How can we reduce defensive reactions? A Different Perspective Being wrong can be socially costly, not just biologically. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) [Unhappy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unhappy/) ## Related quotes > [Bottom line: People in our business are always going to look to find reasons to see the negative in somebody and to become resentful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-mccool/bottom-line-people-in-our-business-are-always-going-to-look-to-find/) [Michelle McCool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-mccool/) > [You have to learn to overcome those feelings when somebody is negative about a production you love or if that production doesn't do well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-paice/you-have-to-learn-to-overcome-those-feelings-when-somebody-is/) Jill Paice > [My mother, in the last years of her life, became very negative, and it's hard to listen. 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