Were the Good Old Days Really That Good? Enter Declinism

Welcome to letter #10 of The Behaviorist

A newsletter that aims to make you a borderline behavioral scientist.

Each week, I drop a letter that unmasks one specific human behavior and bias to help you see how it works in your life.

The goal is to know how to outsmart others who might leverage that against you and take control.

Let’s get going.

Table of Contents

• Bias of The Week - Declinism

• What is Declinism?

• Roots of Declinism

  • Nostalgia

  • Familiarity Bias

  • Negativity Bias

  • Status Quo Bias

• Real-Life Examples of Declinism

  • 1. In Politics

  • 2. In Media

  • 3. In Career

  • 4. Others

• Bias Buster - Overcoming Declinism

• Parting Thoughts

Bias of The Week - Declinism

Ever find yourself longing for the "good old days"?

When everything seemed simpler, and society was on the right path?

Maybe you've been caught reminiscing about a time that feels far removed from today's complexities?

Perhaps you’ve lamented modern culture, wondering how things have gone so far off track, convinced that the past was undeniably better.

If this sounds familiar to you as it is to me, you’ve likely encountered declinism.

So, in this post, you'll learn:

• What declinism is and why it’s so pervasive

• How it leads us to misjudge the present and romanticize the past

• Real-life examples of declinism in action

• How others use declinism to manipulate perceptions of progress

• Practical strategies to recognize and overcome it

What is Declinism? 

In simple terms:

Declinism is the cognitive bias where we idealize the past and perceive current times as a period of decline or decay. 

We see the present as worse than previous eras, often overlooking the complexities and flaws that existed in the "good old days."

Psychologists attribute declinism to our tendency to distort memories of the past.

That actually makes sense since our memories tend to be reconstructed over time.

This makes us focus on nostalgic highlights while forgetting the hardships or inconveniences of those times.

This bias often stems from our constant exposure to negative news and media, which skews our view of reality.

For example, even though the rates of violence, poverty, and warfare are lower than ever before, many of us believe the world is in a state of decline.

Here’s another one you probably more familiar with.

Think of someone longing for the simplicity of life before smartphones.

They may conveniently forget the limitations of pre-digital life and how technology has solved many present daily challenges easily compared to their time.

I mean, who wouldn't appreciate the charm of having to be home to answer a phone that’s stuck to the wall next to the refrigerator!?

This bias is widespread and affect entire societies.

In fact, it’s often capitalized on by politicians, businesses, and media outlets to stoke fear of change inside us while promoting the idea that a return to past values or conditions will "save" our present.

More on that below.

Roots of Declinism 

Let’s break down the psychological mechanisms that make us prone to this bias:

Nostalgia 

Our minds have a funny way of editing memories as explained above.

We tend to recall the best moments of the past while filtering out the unpleasant ones.

This makes the past seem like a golden age, even though it was just as complex and messy as the present.

For example, people often talk about the "golden era" of cinema in the 1950s.

But they highly likely will ignore the rampant censorship and social inequality in the industry at the time.

Familiarity Bias 

The past feels familiar, comfortable, and understandable, even when it wasn’t perfect.

This makes the present seem scarier and more chaotic by comparison, as we are constantly confronted with new uncertain developments.

For instance, consider someone who resists technological changes because they find comfort in the tools and practices of their youth.

They might believe that things were "better" back then, even though many modern innovations have improved our quality of life.

It's like insisting on using a map and compass when you have GPS on your phone.

Sure, it works, but do you really want to go back to arguing with your spouse about directions?

Negativity Bias

Our brains are wired to pay more attention to negative events than positive ones.

This is known as the negativity bias, a survival mechanism from our evolutionary past that kept us alert to danger.

A traumatic event, like hearing bad news or experiencing something shocking, leaves a stronger impression on us than positive experiences.

It's why we remember that one embarrassing thing we did in high school more vividly than all the compliments we've ever received.

Status Quo Bias 

We naturally resist change.

Among biological and neuroscientific reasons, declinism also plays on this by making us believe that change is inherently bad and that returning to an earlier state will restore balance.

This is why you might have heard the old generations, like your dad for example, often criticize the values and culture of the younger generations like yours.

They might perceive them as a decline from their own time.

"Back in my day, we respected our elders!" 

Yeah, and back in their day, those elders were probably saying the same thing too so…

Real-Life Examples of Declinism

1. In Politics 

Politicians frequently leverage declinism by invoking a nostalgic vision of the past to gain votes.

Phrases like "Make America Great Again" or similar slogans tap into the public’s longing for a perceived better time.

This often ignores the progress made in areas like civil rights and technology.

Its like they use this bias to make the focus on the old nostalgic moment without reflecting whether or not this moment is crucial for economical growth.

2. In Media 

Media often glorifies past eras, particularly in TV shows, movies, and advertising.

Lets go back again to the same example of the 1950s ad depicting how families used to enjoy backyard BBQs and fun activities.

I dont think you saw an ad from that era that highlighted sexism or exploitation of the lower class.

This selective nostalgia is why some believe that the past was inherently better while fostering a negative view of contemporary life and progress.

3. In Career 

In workplaces, employees may resist new policies or technologies by arguing that "things worked just fine before."

This reluctance to embrace change can hinder innovation and progress within organizations as you may think.

For example, your company might struggle to implement a new digital tool because some employees are comfortable with legacy systems.

I noticed this in some of the companies I worked with before and this was one of the main reasons why I did stick around for long.

It's like watching a company try to win a Formula 1 race with a horse and buggy. It wasn’t ideal for my growth.

4. Others 

In personal life, declinism can manifest in how we perceive relationships or personal milestones.

For instance, Im sure all of us at some point we reminisced about our college years as a time of freedom and fun.

Thats true but in doing so, we also bypassed the stress of exams, financial struggles, or the pressure to succeed.

This tendency can prevent us from appreciating our current circumstances and the growth we've achieved.

Bias Buster - Overcoming Declinism

Here are some science-backed strategies to help you avoid falling into the trap of idealizing the past:

1. Check the Facts

Before glorifying a bygone era, ask yourself:

1. What were the realities of that time?

2. Was it really as perfect as you remember?

Often, the past seems better because we’ve forgotten its flaws.

2. Embrace Change

Instead of fearing or resisting change, try to understand the benefits that come with it.

Progress doesn’t always feel comfortable, but it’s often necessary.

3. Beware of Nostalgia Triggers

Be mindful of when nostalgia is clouding your judgment.

That feeling of longing for the past might just be a memory trap distorting your view of the present.

The past is gone and wont be restored. Its a bitter-sweet pill at once.

Kind of like realizing you can't fit into your high school jeans anymore, but also remembering how awkward and insecure you were back then.

4. Seek Balanced Perspectives

Don’t rely on your memories alone.

Look for objective sources that provide a fuller picture of both the past and present.

Doing so helps you maintain a balanced view and avoid falling for a romanticized version of history.

It's like fact-checking your own brain. "Did I really enjoy those 8-track tapes, or am I just remembering the good songs?"

5. Focus on Positive Developments:

Actively seeking out positive news stories and developments can shift our focus away from negativity.

So create a list of good things happening in your daily life or any outlets that highlight positive changes.

This can also foster a more optimistic outlook inside of you and can change the way you see things in the future.

I dont mean here to be positive naively when things are in wreck. Be objective.

6. Self reflection

Self-reflection can enhance your awareness of your personal biases and promote more deliberate decision-making.

This practice helps you remain grounded in the present rather than getting lost in negative thoughts about the past or future

Parting Thoughts 

Remember, the good old days weren't always good, and tomorrow isn’t as bad as it seems.

Declinism might make us feel like we're living in the worst timeline, but the truth is, every era has its ups and downs.

So the next time you find yourself yearning for the past, take a moment to appreciate the present.

After all, someday you'll be looking back on today as "the good old days."

Let's make sure they're worth remembering!