Thursday 2 September 2010

Today's Non-Story


A new study suggests that, when given a choice older people prefer to read negative news, rather than positive news, about young adults. In fact, older readers who chose to read negative stories about the young actually get a small boost in their self-esteem, according to the results.

Lead author of the study at Ohio State University, Professor Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick (what a mouthful) said younger people, who are less certain about their own identity, prefer to read about other younger people to see how they live their lives. Older people have greater certainty regarding their identity. The Professor conducted the study with Matthias Hastall of Zeppelin University Friedrichshafen in Germany.

Results showed that younger people showed no differences in self-esteem based on what they had read while the more that older people read negative stories about younger individuals, the higher the older person's level of self-esteem tended to be.

What a lot of erm... drivel, although it does make me wonder if a few hip flasks were involved the day the 98 older adults (aged 50 to 65) went to the computer laboratory for the test. You may be interested in 'destination amnesia' though. It often happens to me these days.


8 comments:

Demetrius said...

I seem to recall that Zepplelins were full of hot gas as well.

Crinkly & Ragged Arsed Philosophers said...

Younger people believe the news; older people know the truth.

Apogee said...

Crinkly&amp. How very true.

Anonymous said...

Why did you use a picture of my neighbour?

subrosa said...

Which, by all accounts, is going to cost much more than now Demetrius. I wish I could find the link I have about that but I can't.

subrosa said...

Oh RA, I can rely upon you for the truth.

subrosa said...

You agree Apogee? Well, well. ;)

subrosa said...

Because it was the only free one available on google photos Tris. I apologise if I'm going to give you prolonged nightmares.

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