News events occur daily and can impact people’s lives in a wide variety of ways. From political movements to social and environmental changes, they inspire dialogue with others and contribute to a sense of community. Current event headlines also help individuals navigate their day-to-day life, influencing decisions regarding finances, lifestyle and beyond.
Almost all people receive some form of news in their daily lives, whether from television, newspapers or online. As such, it’s no surprise that they have varying opinions about the world around them. The type of news received differs across individuals, however, with many events having a negative valence (Haskins, Miller & Quarles, 1984). Specifically, the majority of surveyed topics are perceived as things one cannot change, such as wars and poverty.
For example, a traumatic incident may receive much media coverage because of its suddenness and gruesome images. As such, people often overestimate how likely it is that they will experience something similar themselves. Psychologists can help their patients size up risk more realistically by providing them with broader context, and teaching them to distinguish between personal and hypothetical risk (Bauer, 2014).
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