Julia Meyers-Manor, a psychology researcher studying empathy and media effects, recently said: “All of empathy has some component of contagious emotions. In some ways, recognizing another creature’s emotion is more complex cognitively speaking, whereas feeling what another animal feels is simpler. Because of our close connection with dogs, we have co-evolved to detect each other’s emotional signals in ways that are different from other species.”
Think about how this translates to media today. Are we just catching the emotions the news wants us to feel? Are we mirroring the outrage, fear, or hope that’s being broadcast? The line between recognizing bias and absorbing it is thinner than you think.
If you want to break free from the emotional contagion of biased media, start questioning not just what you’re told, but how it’s making you feel. Don’t just react—reflect. Are you thinking for yourself, or just mirroring the mood of the moment?
Source: National Geographic