2023届高考英语三轮复习·冲刺押题·外刊阅读理解训练 (65)

2023届高考英语三轮复习·冲刺押题 外刊阅读理解训练65 ——改编自Kids these days only seem dumb if you think you’re a genius 【文章】 A recent study in Science Advances has shown that negative opinions about modern children held by older generations are not always based on actual evidence. The study was conducted by John Protzko, a cognitive scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who was inspired while studying delayed gratification in children. Protzko found that experts believed children today were weaker at controlling themselves around rewards like candy compared to 50 years ago. However, his research proved this belief to be incorrect. Protzko's latest research focused on three traits: respect for elders or authoritarianism, intelligence, and enjoyment of reading. He asked participants whether they thought modern children shared these qualities and found that adults who tested strongly in one of the categories tended to view modern children as weak in it. For example, if someone identified as intelligent, they were more likely to see modern children as less intelligent than children of the past. Protzko believes this is because people remember their younger selves as smarter or better behaved than they actually were. In another part of the study, the researchers tricked participants into thinking they were more well-read than they actually were, leading many to change their opinions on children's reading abilities. Protzko explained that biases occur due to fallible memories and a lack of objective knowledge about childhood. People who are high in traits such as respect for elders or authority may believe that all children were like them when they were young. Over time, this bias makes it seem like children are failing more and more. Furthermore, the bias is stronger among older participants. Protzko's study suggests that people should be aware of their biases and not base their opinions on false assumptions. 【重点词汇&词组】 1. study (n.) - 研究、调查 2. Science Advances - 科学进步杂志 3. n