That’s what a kid told Good Morning America co-anchor, Michael Strahan, a few days ago when he talked to a group of 4th graders about election issues and rhetoric. If you are one of the gazillion people who have worried about how the meanest, most revolting and disgusting Presidential campaign season in U.S. history would affect youngsters, watch this ABC video. You will feel heartened to realize that even kids who are exposed to bottom-of-the-barrel politics can still come out sounding more smart, thoughtful, ethical and nice than the politicians they hear and see.
Thank goodness.
We live in a world where acting mean seems far more typical and common that acting nice.
But why?
To try to find out, I Googled it. I typed “why are people mean?” and – aha! – I came across a Psychology Today article from 2013 fortuitously titled, Why Are People Mean? Part 1.
Social psychologist Nathan A. Heflick, Ph.D. describes four researched-based theories that explain why people are mean to each other. Since I have frequently observed that many adults act like children, I will try to paraphrase each in terms that any child could understand:
Positive distinctiveness
If Susie belongs to the Girl Scouts, she naturally thinks her group is better than the Camp Fire Girls, so if she says or does something to degrade the Camp Fire Girls, it makes her feel more positive about the Girl Scouts.
Downward comparisons
If a bully tells Ben he’s stupid and ugly, Ben is more likely to view other kids as stupid and ugly, too.
Classical projection
Donna feels bad about cheating on a test, but she feels better about herself if she thinks that other kids cheat on tests, too.
Ego threat
Someone insults Teenager Tommy, so when he gets home from school he displays aggressiveness by playing loud music that DRIVES MOM CRAZY.
Here’s the bottom line, according to Dr. Heflick:
“Decades of research indicates that there is much truth in the popular belief that people are mean to others in order to feel better about themselves.”
Dang. I don’t know if I have the guts to read Why Are People Mean? Part 2.
So here’s a link that that Good Morning America video. I’m going to watch it again and feel encouraged. When children behave better than adults, there’s always hope for humanity.
What Kids Are Saying About the 2016 Presidential Race
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