German researchers said older people tend to be portrayed negatively in society.

German researchers said older people tend to be portrayed negatively in society. Although they are often described as wise, they are also shown as being slow and forgetful.

“Living in a youth centered culture, they may appreciate a boost in self­esteem.That's why they prefer the negative stories about younger people, who are seen as having a higher status in our society，” said Dr Silvia Knobloch­Westerwick，of Ohio State University.

Knobloch­Westerwick and her co­author Matthias Hastall, of Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen, Germany, studied 276 German adults, including 178 aged 18 to 30 and 98 between 55 and 60. Their findings are published in the journal Communication.

All the adults in the study were shown what they were led to believe was a test version of a new online news magazine.They were also given limited time to look over either a negative or a positive version of 10 pre­selected articles.

Each story was also paired with a photograph depicting(描绘) someone of either the younger or the older age group.

The researchers found that older people were more likely to choose to read negative articles about those younger than themselves. They also tended to show less interest in articles about older people, whether negative or positive.

But younger people preferred to read positive articles about other young people.

According to Knobloch­Westerwick, older people's preference for negative news about their younger counterparts can be explained by their place in society.

“Everybody likes a self­esteem boost. For young people, though, it's almost automatic. Youth is considered important in society，” she said.

After reading the articles, the participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure levels of self­esteem. Unlike their younger counterparts, the self­esteem of older people rose after they read a negative article about younger people.

Although the study was done in Germany, Knobloch­Westerwick believes nationality and the national characteristics are not important.

20．What do older people think of themselves, according to the text?

A．They are behind the times.

B．They are always forgetful.

C．Their self­esteem is challenged in a youth centered culture.

D．They should have a higher status than the young in society.

21．What can be learned from the study?

A．The old enjoy reading negative stories about the young.

B．The old are interested in negative articles about other old people.

C．The old are likely to read positive articles about other old people.

D．The young like reading negative articles about other young people.

22．According to Knobloch­Westerwick, if a similar study were done in other countries, ________．

A．the result would be unreasonable

B．the result would be quite different

C．the findings would be completely the same

D．much the same result would be found

试题答案

研究人员发现，在当今以年轻人为中心的社会中，老年人的自尊受到挑战。因此，在一项调查中，老年人更倾向于关注那些反映年轻人消极面的信息，以增强自尊。

20．C　推理判断题。根据文章第二段中的Living in a youth centered culture，they may appreciate a boost in self­esteem.可推知答案。

21．A　细节理解题。根据文章第六段中的The researchers found that older people were more likely to choose to read negative articles about those younger than themselves.可知答案。

22．D　推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中的信息…believes nationality and the national characteristics are not important.可知答案。