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misinformation

·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.

This shows the word lies made up with the word truth

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.

This shows a person looking at a computer tablet with fake news written on it

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.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Visual Neuroscience

·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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 9, 2019·4 min read

The problem with mindfulness

While those who promote mindfulness claim the practice offers massive amounts of health and psychological benefits, very little scientific evidence backs up the claim.

Featured Psychology

·November 19, 2018·3 min read

Does an ‘Echo Chamber’ of Information Impede Flu Vaccinations for Children?

Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children against the flu may be exposed to limited, or inaccurate, information that impedes their decision, researchers report.

Featured Psychology

·September 24, 2018·4 min read

To Dispel Myths, Redirect the Belief

Researchers report listening to a speaker repeating a belief increases the believability of the statement if the person listening somewhat believes the statement already. However, for those unsure of the credibility, hearing the correct information can override the myths.

Image shows a person receiving a vaccine.

Featured Psychology

·May 11, 2017·5 min read

Stories of ‘Vaccine Injuries’ Are Influential, Even When People Don’t Believe Them

Researchers find disinformation regarding a link between vaccines and subsequent ill effects have a negative epidemiological impact, even when others don't believe the stories.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·March 1, 2017·5 min read

The Power of Perception: How Information Sources Affect Voters

People's opinions of political figures influence how plausible they believe the information they provide to be, even when the information is incorrect, a new study reports.