The over 50’s prefer negative stories about young people
When given a choice, older people prefer to read negative news, rather than positive news, about young adults.
A study of 276 Germans who were asked to read what they thought was a test version of an online magazine featuring carefully selected stories about younger and older people.
In fact, older readers who chose to read negative stories about young individuals actually get a small boost in their self-esteem, according to the results.
Younger people just prefer not to read about older people.
“Our results bolster the argument that people use the media to enhance their social identity,” said Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, lead author of the study and associate professor of communication at Ohio State University.
“Older people and younger people have different goals when they use the media, and it shows in what they choose to read.
“Older people have greater certainty regarding their identity. However, living in a youth-centered culture, they may appreciate a boost in self-esteem. That’s why they prefer the negative stories about younger people, who are seen as having a higher status in our society.”
