The Spread of Misinformation
What factor has allowed misinformation to spread faster in recent years?
Technology and online media
What is the “continued influence effect”?
When people remember false information even after it’s corrected.
According to Jason Reifler, why do people often accept false information?
Because society relies on trust and good faith in others.
What historical event does the article mention as the first large-scale journalistic sham?
The New York Sun’s articles about life on the Moon
Why does repetition make misinformation more believable?
Because of the “illusory truth effect,” where familiar information seems more true.
What does Dan Kahan suggest about the role of identity in accepting scientific information?
People’s beliefs about issues like climate change are influenced by their social and personal identities.
What role do “professional trolls” and “AI” play in the spread of misinformation?
They help to proliferate and amplify misleading claims.
What happens to older adults when misinformation is repeated?
They often re-remember corrected myths as facts.
How did Geoffrey Cohen’s study show the power of social influence on political beliefs?
People changed their support for a policy based on whether it aligned with their group, even if it contradicted their beliefs.
How does social media influence the cycle of misinformation?
By encouraging people to share content that may be false.
What is one method researchers recommend to counter misinformation effectively?
Providing an alternative causal explanation to fill the “mental gap.”
What solution does Elizabeth Levy Paluck propose for addressing misinformation and prejudice?
Shifting social norms through influential individuals who can model positive behavior. Then others will follow.