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misinformation

·March 12, 2025·4 min read

“Mental Booster Shots” Strengthen Resistance to Fake News

New research reveals that short, memory-focused interventions can help individuals resist misinformation more effectively and retain these skills over extended periods, acting as "psychological booster shots." The study evaluated text-based messages, videos, and interactive games that teach people how to spot and resist misleading information. Memory-focused interventions showed the greatest long-term effectiveness, suggesting regular psychological "boosters" could enhance misinformation resistance.

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·October 18, 2024·8 min read

When Does Election Debunking Work? New Model Provides Insights

A study using a computational model reveals factors that influence whether debunking efforts about disputed election results will persuade people to change their beliefs. The model shows that debunking is more likely to succeed when individuals are less certain of their original beliefs and perceive the authority as unbiased and motivated by accuracy.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 11, 2024·5 min read

Helping Kids Fact-Check in the Age of Misinformation

New research suggests exposing children to limited misinformation online can improve their skepticism and fact-checking abilities. By encountering controlled false claims, children develop critical thinking skills essential for navigating the digital world. In a study, children exposed to unreliable information became more diligent fact-checkers compared to those in more accurate environments. Researchers argue that equipping kids with online literacy skills is more effective than shielding them from all misinformation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 9, 2024·3 min read

Social Networks Drive Idea and Misinformation Contagion

A recent study examines how the structure of social networks influences the spread of both diseases and ideas, using data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers developed a model to analyze not only social connections but also the mechanisms driving contagion and information diffusion.

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·September 30, 2024·6 min read

Extreme Political Views Drive Higher Belief in Misinformation

A new study reveals that users with extreme political views are more likely to encounter and believe online misinformation. The research shows that misinformation spreads across the political spectrum, but its impact is most pronounced among those with conservative or liberal extremes.

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·May 7, 2024·4 min read

Confusion Over Fact and Fiction Drives News Avoidance

Difficulty in distinguishing fact from fiction is leading more Americans to actively avoid news. This phenomenon, termed "news fatigue," is exacerbated by the chaotic digital media landscape and declining trust in news sources.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2023·5 min read

Social Media Algorithms Distort Social Instincts and Fuel Misinformation

Social media algorithms, designed to boost user engagement for advertising revenue, amplify the biases inherent in human social learning processes, leading to misinformation and polarization. As humans naturally learn more from their ingroup and prestigious individuals, algorithms capitalize on this, pushing information that feeds these biases—regardless of its accuracy.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 14, 2022·5 min read

Lies That ‘Might’ Eventually Come True Seem Less Unethical

Study reveals people are more likely to believe lies and spread misinformation if they think the disinformation may become true in the future.

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Featured Psychology

·June 3, 2021·5 min read

Who’s More Susceptible to Believing Falsehoods?

Study reveals conservatives are less able to distinguish political truths from falsehoods, and the glut of right-wing media organizations producing politically incorrect content is likely to blame.

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·August 31, 2020·6 min read

Warning Witnesses of the Possibility of Misinformation Helps Protect Their Memory Accuracy

When people were warned about the inaccuracy of retelling events, they were less susceptible to misinformation. Providing warnings increased reinstatement of visual activity associated with witnessing an event and decreased the reinstatement of auditory activity associated with hearing misleading post-event information.

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·March 12, 2020·3 min read

How dangerous news spreads: What makes Twitter users retweet risk-related information

Study uncovers how misinformation and fake news can spread via social media platforms like Twitter. Those with high numbers of mutual followers are more likely to spread "dreadful" misinformation. Findings could offer solutions to prevent fake news dissemination.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 27, 2019·5 min read

The politics of fear: How it manipulates us to tribalism

Using fear as a political platform has created a resurgence in feelings of tribalism. The utilization of fear as a political tool is uninformed, illogical and can result in increased social violence. A new study looks at the impact of the politics of fear on tribalism.