Our brains have been wired to notice negative things in our environment as a way to survive. However, today such negativity is not always helpful. As a child, when they experience negative events and things don't go their way, they complain. Thanks to psychology research, there is an antidote! Gratitude is one of the most effective ways to counteract negativity. Gratitude is not ignoring feelings or looking past negativity, but rather refocusing our attention. When children focus on things they are grateful for, they can refocus their thoughts, thus reduce the whining or complaining.