ANN ARBOR—Late night talk shows seem to foster political cynicism among young Americans who rely on these shows for information, new research at the University of Michigan shows.

“These young Americans tend to undervalue the significance of their votes in the election, and they are also more likely to mistrust politicians,” said Nojin Kwak, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies.

The findings indicated shows such as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and the “Late Show with David Letterman,” can demobilize young voters under certain conditions. For example, while newspaper reading generally boosts the likelihood of voting, its role as an electoral mobilizer is significantly smaller among regular viewers of late night talk shows, Kwak said.

Research has shown that during the last three decades, young adults have been less engaged in elections and other political activities. Kwak said that these shows could be a culprit for young adults