Mohamedarif Mohamed Suleman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) is a digital marketing specialist and an Educator-cum-Trainer. He has involved himself in community organisations and matters from a young age, and through his writings, continues to speak of social and cultural reform to this day. He is also the founding moderator of this forum.
“In the digital age, negativity permeates not only social media but also mainstream media, literature, and everyday conversations, shaping public discourse and individual perceptions. The allure of negative content is multifaceted, drawing individuals into a cycle of despair that can significantly impact mental health and societal well-being. Let us try to understand the pervasive nature of negativity, the psychological factors that attract individuals to it, and its detrimental effects on our collective consciousness.
Negativity is deeply embedded in various aspects of modern life. Mainstream media outlets often prioritise sensationalism over balanced reporting, leading to an emphasis on negative events such as crime, disasters, and political scandals. This focus can create a skewed perception of reality, where audiences believe that the world is more dangerous or chaotic than it truly is. Similarly, literature and film often explore darker themes – conflict, betrayal, and tragedy – capturing audiences’ attention through the exploration of human suffering. While these narratives can provide valuable insights into the human condition, they also contribute to a cultural landscape saturated with negativity.
Beyond media consumption, negativity can manifest in everyday interactions. Conversations often gravitate toward complaints or grievances rather than positive experiences or achievements. This tendency can create an environment where pessimism thrives, making it difficult for individuals to focus on solutions or celebrate successes. In workplaces, for instance, a culture of criticism can stifle creativity and innovation, as employees may feel discouraged from sharing new ideas for fear of negative feedback.
In our predominantly business-oriented community in East Africa, corridor conversations often reflect a doomsday mentality. This pervasive outlook tends to focus on challenges and obstacles, overshadowing opportunities and positive developments. Such discussions can create an atmosphere of pessimism that stifles innovation and collaboration. To foster a more constructive dialogue, it is essential to shift our focus from a defeatist perspective to one that emphasises resilience, potential growth, and the successes within our community. By encouraging conversations that highlight solutions and celebrate achievements, we can cultivate a more optimistic environment that empowers individuals and businesses alike to thrive.
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Psychological Factors at Play
Several psychological factors contribute to the allure of negativity. One significant factor is the human brain’s predisposition to respond to threats; this survival mechanism makes us more alert to negative stimuli. The theory of psychological reactance suggests that when individuals perceive their freedom to choose is threatened – such as through persuasive negative messaging – they may react with increased interest in that content.
Furthermore, individuals often seek validation through shared experiences of negativity, finding solace in communal outrage or shared grievances. This behaviour can stem from low self-esteem or feelings of isolation, where engaging with negative content becomes a means of connection.
Additionally, the phenomenon of “doomscrolling” illustrates how individuals become trapped in cycles of consuming negative news online. However, this cycle extends beyond digital platforms; people often engage in similar behaviours in their offline lives by focusing on negative news stories shared during social gatherings or through traditional media channels like television and newspapers. The immediate emotional responses elicited by such content – fear, anger, or sadness – can create an addictive cycle where individuals seek more negativity for the emotional highs and lows it provides.
Initially, he focused on providing excellent service and creating a welcoming atmosphere for his customers. However, over time, he became increasingly aware of negative feedback on social media and online review platforms. Despite receiving numerous positive reviews, it was the few critical comments that stuck in his mind, leading to feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. This experience exemplifies the negativity bias, a cognitive phenomenon where negative experiences or feedback have a more significant impact on our psychological state than positive ones of equal magnitude. Research indicates that individuals tend to remember negative events more vividly which gives them greater weight in their decision-making processes
For Ahmed, this bias manifested as an obsession with the negative reviews, causing him to second-guess his menu choices and customer service strategies. As he fixated on these negative perceptions, Ahmed’s mental health began to decline. He started avoiding interactions with customers, fearing further criticism. This behaviour created a cycle of negativity: his withdrawal led to less engagement with patrons, which in turn resulted in fewer positive experiences to counterbalance the negative feedback. This situation illustrates how negativity can be contagious; just as positive interactions can uplift a community, negative sentiments can spread and create an environment of fear and distrust
Moreover, Ahmed’s experience highlights the psychological impact of negativity on decision-making and relationships. As he became more anxious and withdrawn, he inadvertently projected these feelings onto his staff, creating tension within his team. This dynamic reflects how negativity can not only affect individuals but also ripple through communities and workplaces, ultimately undermining morale and productivity
Ahmed’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the psychological factors that draw individuals toward negativity. By recognising these biases and their effects on mental health and social interactions, we can work towards fostering a more positive environment that encourages growth and resilience.
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Impact on Mental Health and Societal Well-Being
The consumption of negative news has profound implications for mental health. Studies indicate that prolonged exposure to negative media can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness among individuals. This impact extends beyond personal well-being; it affects societal cohesion as communities become polarised by fear and distrust. When negativity dominates public discourse, it fosters an environment where constructive dialogue becomes challenging, hindering collective action toward solutions. Moreover, the normalisation of negativity can lead to a culture where cynicism prevails over hope. Individuals may begin to perceive the world as inherently dangerous or unjust, which can stifle motivation for positive change and community engagement. As people become entrenched in negative narratives – whether through media consumption or interpersonal interactions -they may overlook opportunities for growth and progress within their communities.
An Islamic Perspective
From an Islamic perspective, negativity is discouraged as it contradicts the principles of hope and trust in Allah (SWT). Islam teaches that believers should focus on positivity and gratitude rather than despair and complaint. The Qur’an emphasises patience (sabr) and reliance on Allah (SWT) during difficult times (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153).
Additionally, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged spreading good news and uplifting others through kind words. Engaging with negativity not only harms individual mental health but also disrupts community harmony. By fostering a mindset rooted in optimism and compassion, Muslims are encouraged to combat societal ills with constructive dialogue and proactive solutions.
While negativity may hold a certain allure in our interconnected world, its pervasive nature poses significant risks to both individual mental health and societal well-being. By understanding the psychological factors that draw us toward negativity and recognising its impacts across various domains- beyond just social media – we can strive for a more balanced perspective that prioritises constructive dialogue and positive engagement in addressing societal challenges.
The Holy Qur’an provides profound guidance on the nature of negativity and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. One significant verse is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), which states:
_”O you who have believed, avoid much suspicion. Indeed, some suspicion is sin.”_
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This verse emphasises the need to steer clear of negative assumptions and judgments about others, which can lead to discord and misunderstanding within communities. Such suspicions can poison relationships and foster an environment of mistrust.
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In Sura Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah reassures believers with the words: “O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world are good, and the earth of Allah is spacious. Only the patient will be given their reward without account.”
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This verse encourages positivity and resilience, reminding individuals that despite challenges, goodness and patience will ultimately yield rewards. These teachings highlight the Islamic perspective that promotes a hopeful and constructive approach to life, urging believers to focus on positive actions and thoughts rather than succumbing to negativity or despair.
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The concept of Husn-e-Zan, or thinking well of others, is a fundamental teaching in Islam that emphasises the importance of maintaining a positive outlook towards fellow human beings. This principle stands in stark contrast to harbouring negative suspicions based on personal dislikes or prejudices.
Understanding Husn-e-Zan
Husn-e-Zan encourages individuals to assume the best intentions behind others’ actions, fostering an environment of trust and respect.
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The Qur’an explicitly advises believers to avoid negative assumptions, as highlighted in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12):
“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.” This verse underscores that harbouring negative thoughts can lead to sinful behaviour, such as gossip and backbiting, which are detrimental to community cohesion and individual relationships.
The Dangers of Negative Suspicion
When individuals allow their dislikes to colour their perceptions of others, they risk falling into the trap of sui zann (negative thinking). This can lead to a cycle of mistrust and conflict within the community. As noted in various Islamic teachings, negative assumptions can escalate into harmful actions, such as slander and division among people.Â
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The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned against these behaviours, emphasizing that thinking ill of others not only harms interpersonal relationships but also disrupts societal harmony. He taught that believers should strive to maintain a good opinion of one another, as this fosters a supportive and compassionate community.
The Spiritual Consequences
Islamic scholars have pointed out that negative thinking can have spiritual repercussions as well. It can lead to psychological distress and a disconnection from one’s faith. Positive thinking, on the other hand, is linked to a stronger relationship with Allah (SWT) and greater inner peace.
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Husn-e-Zan is not merely a social nicety but a profound aspect of Islamic ethics that promotes mental well-being and communal harmony. By consciously choosing to think positively about others, Muslims can counteract the destructive tendencies of suspicion and negativity. This approach not only aligns with Islamic teachings but also cultivates a more peaceful and supportive community environment
Mohamedarif Mohamed Suleman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) is a digital marketing specialist and an Educator-cum-Trainer. He has involved himself in community organisations and matters from a young age, and through his writings, continues to speak of social and cultural reform to this day. He is also the founding moderator of this forum.
