Short videos have become increasingly popular in recent years. These videos are typically short in length, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes, and offer a quick supply of entertainment (娱乐) or information. While these videos may seem harmless, there are worries about the effect they can have on the human brain and attention span (持续时间).
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (神经递质) that is connected with the reward (奖励) center of the brain. When we experience something pleasurable or rewarding, such as eating a delicious meal or receiving praise, our brains release (释放) dopamine. This release of dopamine strengthens the behavior that led to the reward, making us more likely to do that behavior again.
Short videos can also make our brains release dopamine. The quick and easy-to-understand nature of these videos provides an immediate satisfaction that can be addictive (上瘾的). Each time we watch a video and experience the pleasure of entertainment or information, our brains release dopamine, strengthening the behavior of watching more videos.
Over time, this continuous release of dopamine can lead to a decrease in dopamine receptors in the brain. This means that it takes more and more dopamine to create the same pleasurable sensation, making it even more difficult to stop watching short videos.
Studies have shown that too much use of social media can lead to a decrease in attention span, and short videos may be even more harmful. The never-ending excitement provided by these videos can make it difficult for people to focus on tasks that require lasting attention. This can lead to a decrease in productivity and a reduced interest in activities that don’t offer immediate rewards.
Additionally, these videos can have a bad influence on mental health. Watching an endless stream of short videos can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. You might also start to feel bad about yourself because you think you’re not as good as the people in the videos.
Not all short videos are harmful, and they can be a valuable tool for entertainment and education. However, it is important to be mindful of how long you watch these videos and focus on activities that require full attention and provide long-term rewards.
【小题1】What do you know about dopamine from the passage?| A．Dopamine makes people more attentive. |
| B．Dopamine keeps us from repeating things we like. |
| C．Dopamine influences emotions instead of behaviors. |
| D．Dopamine is released as a result of pleasurable experiences. |
| A．The strong wish to learn new things. |
| B．The convenience of getting short videos. |
| C．The necessity of having social communication. |
| D．The need to keep the same level of satisfaction. |
| A．To introduce how dopamine works in our brains. |
| B．To encourage people to improve their attention span. |
| C．To remind people to limit their time of watching short videos. |
| D．To explain why short videos have become increasingly popular. |
