Discoveries

July 13, 2023

The Good of Seeing Good

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Watching instances of violence and catastrophe in the news doesn’t bode well for the human psyche.

It would be an understatement to say that news nowadays is very glum, but in that darkness there is always that story about acts of kindness and heroism that generates a bit of hope inside us.

Now, a new research paper found that exposure to heartwarming content could counteract the negative effects of consuming distressing news, the Washington Post reported.

To determine how impactful these positive stories can be, researchers Kathryn Buchanan and Gillian Sandstrom conducted a years-long study on 1,800 participants.

They divided them into different groups and showed them news clips or articles about upsetting events, such as terrorist attacks or similar catastrophic incidents. Some groups were exposed only to bad news, while others were shown stories of heroism or lighthearted subjects after the distressing stories.

The findings showed that participants who were exposed to stories of kindness reported more positive emotions and developed a more optimistic view of the world. In contrast, those who were exposed only to unsettling news experienced increased negativity and a more pessimistic outlook.

The researchers noted that stories of kindness created a stronger emotional impact: Witnessing acts of kindness triggered a special feeling called elevation, which inspired individuals to be better and contribute positively to society.

“It serves as a kind of reset button that allows us to have this faith in humanity,” said Buchanan.

The team emphasized that this doesn’t mean people should completely drop the bad news. It’s important to stay up to date with current events, but it’s also vital to balance current affairs coverage with positive and negative news.

Other studies have also highlighted the adverse effects of overwhelmingly negative news and the benefits of constructive and solution-based journalism. Uplifting stories are more likely to promote positive behavior, while distressing news may lead to passive despair or hopelessness.

Correction: In Wednesday’s NEED TO KNOW section, we said in our “Not Going Anywhere” item that the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) ruled Mexico for most of the time it has been an independent country. In fact, the PRI ruled the country uninterrupted from the party’s founding in 1929 until 2000. We apologize for the error.

This story originally appeared in the July 13, 2023 newsletter, Twenty Years.