As we flip through the channels on the television we see flashes of random and often negative images. A popular channel that consists of 90% negative information is the news channels.
Of course, it is wise to be educated and aware of what is going on locally and throughout the world. However, the negativity that the news gives off may affect one’s outlook on life and the world that we live in. So how can we watch the news for educational purposes without becoming upset with what the world has come to? It is vital to analyze your current mindset prior to watching a news channel.
“From a psychological standpoint, this could affect people in at least a few different ways.” said Psychology professor, Kevin Kieffer. “First, we know that the more exposure people have to violent content — whether that be through watching the news or via playing first person shooter video games — the more desensitized they become to the violent content. Watching news programs that cover violent content could also negatively affect people’s mood states by increasing feelings of anxiety and depression.”
The negative events happening in the world can remind us of past experiences when one experienced anxiety, sadness or anger. This can cause the viewer to potentially worry about past, current or future events. Often the news is emotionalized to create a more emotional outcome for the viewers.
In 1997, a study was conducted where there were 3 groups of people watching fourteen minute news clips: negative, positive and emotionally neutral. As predicted, the group that had watched the negative news experienced sadness and anxiety. Not only did the viewers experience sadness and anxiety, but they also experienced worrisome thoughts.
The news is all around us today, some of it is avoidable and some is not. So how can we listen to the news without letting it affect our mindset for the day or in general?
“I think that the simplest way to avoid overburdening oneself with negative content in the news is simply to skip those news stories which might have the proclivity to upset us. For myself personally, when I read the morning paper or scan news stories on the Internet during my lunch break, I simply avoid reading those stories that might cause me to experience negative emotions. We do not have to read every story just because it is printed there before us,” Said Kieffer.
If the news impacts our attitude, Kieffer suggests, “focusing on important aspects of our lives and maintaining perspective are ways that we can try to mitigate the negative impact that watching the news can have on us”.
The news can be a great resource to educate yourselves; however, if the negativity in some of the news stories affects one’s attitude it can be easily avoided.
