Excellent article, Caroline.

I believe judgement tends toward the negative because people over time tend toward the negative.

We all have had "bad" things happen to us. Loss of job, home, loved ones, self-esteem and so on. If we don't resolve these issues when they happen or soon thereafter, the negative emotions attached to these moments remain and will continue to influence us - whether we are aware of it or not.

So, those of us that have people to talk to or believe communication is a means of minimizing the effects of these negative moments, have a chance to move past them. Others probably won't. Shinning an analytical light on present and past incidents turn problem memories into data.

It's easy to judge toward the negative when past situations have colored our world view. The guy standing at the corner isn't waiting for someone - he has something bad in mind. He left me off the promotions list because he always had it in for me - when in fact it was a mistake - he actually wanted you for the job.

Why we judge has everything to do with how we remember.

Thanks again.