It’s easy to simply go through life acting on our decisions without taking a second glance at the reasoning behind them. In this way, we take it as truth that we are fully in control of our own decisions.
However, research suggests that this isn’t exactly true, and one reason for that is the sociability of humans. We humans are predominantly social creatures, and we have survived and thrived due to our ability to be social.
What has been the importance of human’s need for sociability?
Over the course of our evolutionary history, our predecessors faced persistent danger. They survived by forming groups and sticking together in these packs, and this trait has been passed down to us modern people.
These social actions, which were once necessary for survival, have now contributed to the encouragement of social harmony. Banding together is now a question of common interests or values, and it’s vital for a healthy social life.
Finding someone who agrees with you can thus strengthen your perception of righteousness. Thus, people’s personal views can easily become amplified or exaggerated when met with people of the same background or mindset.
While it’s certainly necessary to find and belong to a group of like-minded individuals, this concept can easily be distorted when considering the influence of the media.
How does the news influence the way we think and act?
The news surrounds us and infiltrates our daily lives through countless mediums; it’s delivered through television, social media, podcasts, streaming services. Being constantly subject to and immersed in news forces us to consume it without cease.
News reports have developed into being more than just a reliable source of information. Nowadays, due to its mediums of delivery and methods, it’s gained the ability to infiltrate our subconscious and influence our mindset.
Given the sensitivity or controversial nature of topics covered, it has the potential to influence our views on topics such as immigration, diet, human rights, and foreign relations, to name just a few.
Consuming news at this rate can sculpt our perception of these topics, which can either be beneficial or harmful, depending on the nature of the influence and our news sources. Certain news channels or sources tend to be biased or lean towards a certain mindset, and their language and connotation can influence our perception.
Our perceptions can even be “confirmed” when meeting with other people who agree with us. Our hereditary nature to stick in packs evolves into one that pushes people to share similar ideas about current news.
Take some time today to disconnect from the news, and it’s worth it to simply reassess your news intake.
