Crash Course
What is the term?
Using an expert or celebrity (e.g., a doctor endorsing a medicine).
Authority
What is confirmation bias?
The tendency to seek out information that confirms what we already believe, while ignoring information that contradicts those beliefs.
What is the term?
flawed arguments that sound persuasive but lack logical support
Fallacies
What is the term?
Friendly or funny people make you more open to the message (e.g., humorous commercials).
Likability
What is one action you can take to more fairly evaluate new information?
“I can check multiple sources before deciding something is true”
What is a possible negative consequence of only consuming like-minded news or content?
It can lead to resistance to new or contradictory information.
Why might people prefer “what confirms their beliefs” rather than exploring opposing viewpoints?
Because it makes us feel more secure or validated in our beliefs.
Explain this statement: “Our brain chooses to see things that appeal to us more readily than things that challenge us.”
Our brains are wired to favor familiar or agreeable information. Challenging ideas take more effort to process, so we often avoid them.
What is the danger of only consuming media that aligns with our beliefs?
We can become misinformed, live in an echo chamber, and become less understanding of other perspectives.
How can someone guard against confirmation bias when researching or learning something new?
By seeking out diverse sources, questioning assumptions, and actively looking at opposing viewpoints.
What is information satisficing?
It’s when we settle for the first piece of information that seems “good enough” instead of verifying accuracy.
What is the term: Paid messages intended to influence people in a certain way.
Advertising
Name the term: Crafting a public image or message about a person, company, or product, often through media channels.
Public Relations or (PR)
What is the term: Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a point of view.
Propaganda
What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
A pyramid of human needs, starting from basic survival (food, safety) to higher-level needs (belonging, esteem).
What is the term: Repeating slogans or visuals (e.g., “I’m lovin’ it”).
Repetition