Why are we attracted to bad news

The popularity of the newspaper or magazine directly depends on how interesting present their material. It's hard to disagree. However, from time to time we notice that the attention of the media, and, ironically, our own, focuses on the tragic, depressing and simply bad news about wars, terrorist attacks, killings and looting. Why is this happening? Perhaps journalists believe that such a sensational and frightening news more interesting than those which tell about economic improvements or medical discoveries? Or that they are simpler and easier to grasp? Many argue that they prefer good news to bad. They do not cheat yourself?





Researchers mark Trussler and Stuart Soroka decided to find the answers to these questions and conducted an experiment at the University of McGill in Canada. They invited volunteers for "a study of oculography". Participants were asked to choose and read the article from the news channel, and a specially mounted camera tracked the movement of the eyeball during these processes. After the "preparatory" task, participants watched a short video and answered the question of what political news they want to read. The results showed that most participants chose the news quite a negative subject. People interested in current world events were more predisposed to choose the "bad" news.





Scientists explain such a trend is natural human instinct to feel the danger. Bad news works like a signal that tells us what we need to do something to avoid danger. But is it the only answer to our question? Probably not. Tressler Forty and believe that we pay more attention to the negative, because we see the world around us more peaceful and quiet. A positive Outlook on life makes the bad news more visible and shocking.





Source: estet-portal.com