OT : A psychosocial question

[narf poit chez BOOM]

My simple answer is 'Because they hurt!'

[Atrocities]

Renegade 13 said:
Why do people seem to have a need to frequently revisit old emotional scars?

Because the need to pure salt on the old wounds is far greater of an urge than the one to leave them alone.

[Atrocities]

Imperator Fyron said:
Of course. Genetics plays a roll in instinct, but part of the development of higher animal intelligence is learning to override instinct.

Your assuming however that the genetics have evolved enough to allow for development of higher animal intelligence. I met many poeple, some related to me, that act more on animal instinct with blatent disregard for intelligence. They act more like 13 and 14 year olds with the demonstrated IQ of a 5 or 6 year old. Genetics does play a part here in that genetically they are low brow morons who are too ill equiped mentally to understand the concept of learning to act based upon intelligence rather than instinct.

[Xrati]

'Old habits are hard to break.' There's a lot to be said about "old sayings." Our habits, over time, become daily routine. Human nature is always to take the easy way out. It's hard to deal with problems, it's easier to let them go and continue to be plagued by them.

[capnq]

I have read that repeated experiences "optimize" the sections of the brain that deals with them. If you have a lot more negative experiences than positive ones, your brain will get better at processing the negatives.

I often find that my negative memories spring up almost unbidden, but positive memories take more conscious effort to retrieve.

[Phoenix-D]

I suspect we're wired to remenber negative events better. Remebering that "hey, I ate that berry and got sick!" is more 'productive' from a survival standpoint than "Oo, that flower's pretty."

[Raapys]

I think we like bringing forth (old) emotional pain in certain moods and situations. Self-pity can feel very good and comforting, and an experience of pain can push your current problems and situation into the background, thereby making them appear less important or inconsequential.

[Atrocities]

Music and lack of sleep, not to mention drugs, alcohol and some foods might bring about an unexpected upsurge of long forgotten, or well hidden emotional pain.

[Xrati]

Stimulants of any kind, remove you from "control" over your own life. Your decisions are no longer based on any set of principles or experiences. You forfiet control of your life when you use drugs, alcohol or any other mind altering substance. You open the door to everything that you had closed it on...

[AngleWyrm]

I suspect we're wired to remenber negative events better. Remebering that "hey, I ate that berry and got sick!" is more 'productive' from a survival standpoint than "Oo, that flower's pretty."

The second part could also be portrayed as "Oo, that female looks like good breeding stock." or "That ground looks healthy."

It's almost odd that the immediacy of personal injury is a higher priority than long-term gains.