The Power of Bad
by John Tierney and Roy F. Baumeister
Bad is stronger than good, the negativity effect, and how to use it: the rule of four, avoiding the bad before adding the good, criticism and praise. Research-based and useful.
Read it if…
you want to understand why one criticism outweighs five compliments.
See the book →
Skip it if…
you want positive psychology only.
Try instead: The Hidden Habits of Genius →
Three things you will actually use
- Bad is stronger; plan for it.
- Four goods per bad.
- Remove the bad first.
Do this first
Read the chapter on the rule of four.
Our verdict
The negativity effect.
See the book →
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