Why People Believe in Misinformation

Misinformation, fake news, and conspiracies are nothing new, but now, more than ever, they have the ability to put people's lives in danger. Understanding our own cognitive biases is crucial for inoculating us against these unreliable information sources. Discussed in this episode: How cognitive dissonance, use of cognitive shortcuts, mistrust in the media, and repetition of information lead to belief in misinformation, how social media exacerbates the issue of misinformation, and why people spread misinformation.

 

Related reading: Zimdars, M. & McLeod K. (2020). Fake News: Understanding Media and Misinformation in the Digital Age. The MIT Press.

 

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