It's a human tendency to focus more on the bad examples of any given subject in order to protect yourself from hazards.

This applies to memories, circumstances, people and even life in general, which is why most people seem to recall and insist on negative experiences; due to a need to keep themselves safe and avoid future harm. Acknowledging the positives is less of a priority, since there is no need to prepare for a good event; you just experience it and enjoy it.

The issue appears when you extrapolate this to reality itself, and apply your fears and anxieties to the way the world actually works, in a general sense. It's bad-faith.

Are there terrible people out there who seek to suck you dry of your soul and resources? Yes.

Are there also people you know nothing about and who are fully deserving of the benefit of doubt? Also yes.

If there are 10 people in a group, and 3 of them keep tripping me when I walk by them, it's easier to be biased and extrapolate their behaviour to the other 7 as well (whose behaviour I know nothing about) because it sharpens my sense of safety, at the cost of applying undeserved moral pressure on the other bystanders.

Can biases be helpful? Yes. Is giving people room to demonstrate their personality important as well? Also yes.

I recommend a healthy balance in this regard, because too much of either is unhealthy.

What do you think?