Whether you choose good or bad news first says more about you than your CV

We are often asked: do we want to hear the good news first or the bad news first. A seemingly trivial question can reveal a lot about how a person thinks, what he or she expects from life and how he or she handles stress or uncertainty. As research in psychology shows, the preference for what you want to hear first is no accident. It is an expression of your personality, emotional stability and approach to situations. And it can often say more about you than, say, a CV.

If you are applying for a new job, they usually ask for a CV, in some cases some references, or perhaps a cover letter. But many things can say a lot more about you. And it’s not just about the job. In life, you can also learn a lot about yourself or others by their life choices, for example. The answer to the question of whether you want to hear bad news or good news first can tell a lot about your personality.

Most people want to hear the bad news first. Why?

In their study, psychologists Angela M. Legg and Kate Sweeny of the University of California found that most people (about 78%) want to hear the bad news before the good news. The reason? They say people want to get the bad news over with. That is, to get the threat or negative information as soon as possible so they can bounce back from it, think of a solution, prepare. Thus, the good news at the end acts as a small reward, consolation or positive closure.

This preference is part of a broader psychological phenomenon, such as the tendency to perceive and react more intensely to negative stimuli than to positive ones. People are more sensitive to bad news. Evolutionarily, of course, this makes sense, because negative events often imply risk, so it’s better to know early.

What can preference say about your personality?

If you always want to hear the bad first, it may indicate that you are a realistic and practical person. Someone who doesn’t want to waste time on assumptions and prefers to get straight to the solution. According to popular interpretations, this may mean that you are emotionally stable, like order and don’t put off unpleasantness.

At the same time , it can also mean courage and self-reflection, a willingness to face uncomfortable truths, even though they are very difficult. Instead of dreaming of an ideal world, one chooses honesty. This choice can be especially important in situations where action is required. On the other hand, people who hear bad news first often react more positively, relieved, after the good news is revealed. That is, they can appreciate the relief and perspective.

And what if we want to hear the good news first?

While most people choose the bad news first, there are some people for whom it is better to hear the good news first. Studies show that if the goal is to elicit behavior change, good news before bad news may work better. While people who were given positive feedback first were more stressed in anticipation of the bad one, they were also significantly more likely to express interest in changing their behavior.

So a preference for “good news first” may indicate that you are a person with greater emotional sensitivity, someone who needs to build up energy and psychological support before tackling the tough stuff. It can be a sign of self-reflection, but also of empathy and consideration for your own psyche. Moreover, in the context of interpersonal communication (partner, family, work), the choice may speak of a need to make the atmosphere bearable. One wants to feel reassured or supported before one dares to talk about the unpleasant.