Which term describes viewing things negatively while experiencing a bad mood?

Pessimism bias accurately describes the tendency to view things negatively, particularly when one is in a bad mood. This cognitive bias leads individuals to expect unfavorable outcomes and focus on the negatives rather than the positives in any given situation. When in a negative emotional state, people are more likely to interpret events or situations in a pessimistic light, amplifying their feelings of hopelessness or frustration.

On the other hand, optimism bias refers to the belief that outcomes will generally be positive or better than expected, which contradicts the idea of viewing situations negatively. Cultural bias relates to the tendencies or inclinations that may arise from an individual’s cultural background, affecting their perspective but not specifically tied to mood. Ethnocentrism is the evaluation of other cultures based on the standards and customs of one's own culture, which is unrelated to personal mood or outlook. Thus, the notion of pessimism bias aligns correctly with the experience of negative viewing through the lens of one's current emotional state.