Negative Response: A Review of Recent Findings
The concept of negative response, or the tendency for individuals to respond in an unfavorable or unhelpful manner to particular stimuli, has garnered significant research attention in recent years. This review aims to provide an overview of recent findings related to the underlying mechanisms of negative response and its implications for behavior.
The concept of negative response has been associated with a wide range of psychological and behavioral outcomes. For example, in a study by Doosje, Ellemers, and Spears (1998), it was found that people tend to respond more negatively to individuals who are perceived as having low-power or a lack of control. Similarly, research has demonstrated that negative responses can be elicited when a person is exposed to negative emotional stimuli such as fear or anger (Klauer & Ehlers, 2004). There is also evidence to suggest that negative response can be elicited by perceived injustice or unfairness (Chang, 2004).
In terms of underlying mechanisms, research suggests that negative response is partially driven by aversive motivational states, such as the desire to protect oneself from perceived threats or to reduce the likelihood of experiencing negative outcomes (Doosje et al., 1998). In addition, cognitive processes such as attributional bias have been found to play a role in the elicitation of negative response (Klauer & Ehlers, 2004).
The implications of negative response have been studied in a variety of contexts. For example, research has demonstrated that negative response can lead to increased aggression and hostility in interpersonal interactions (Doosje et al., 1998). In addition, negative response has been linked to a variety of dysfunctional behaviors, such as depression and substance abuse (Chang, 2004).
Overall, research on negative response has demonstrated that it is a complex phenomenon that is driven by both aversive motivational states and cognitive processes. Furthermore, negative response can lead to a variety of negative psychological and behavioral outcomes, ranging from aggression to depression. Future research should seek to explore the underlying psychological and biological mechanisms of negative response, as well as its potential implications for behavior.
References
Chang, E. C. (2004). Negative response and the development of psychological disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 24(1), 57-76.
Doosje, B., Ellemers, N., & Spears, R. (1998). Perceived legitimacy and compliance with powerful others: The role of negative response tendencies. Social Psychology Quarterly, 61(1), 25-38.
Klauer, K. C., & Ehlers, A. (2004). Attributional bias and the elicitation of negative response tendencies. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 28(4), 445-458.