Which principle suggests that we remember pleasant stimuli better than negative stimuli?

The Pollyanna Principle posits that individuals tend to remember pleasant or positive stimuli more effectively than negative ones. This principle is rooted in the tendency of people to focus on and recall positive experiences or happy memories, which are often associated with more favorable emotional responses.

Research supports this idea, indicating that positive emotions can enhance cognitive processing and memory retention. When we encounter something pleasurable, it not only makes a stronger impression at the moment but can also shape the way we retrieve that memory later. The contrast with negative stimuli, which may evoke stronger emotional reactions momentarily, does not lead to the same level of long-term recall as pleasant experiences.

This principle sheds light on various phenomena in cognitive psychology, such as why individuals might recall happy moments from childhood or joyful events more vividly than unpleasant occurrences. By emphasizing the impact of emotional tone on memory, the Pollyanna Principle highlights the importance of positive experiences in shaping our autobiographical recollections.