Navigating the News: 5 Essential Tactics to Combat Misinformation, Backed by Psychological Research

Intro

In the wake of a devastating act of violence in Sydney, leaving six individuals deceased and numerous others wounded, we confront not only the tragedy itself but the rapid spread of misinformation that often follows such events. The digital age has seen misinformation become increasingly prevalent, particularly on social media platforms where immediacy and shareability reign supreme.

Over the past two decades, the rise of social media has significantly amplified the role of misinformation in our daily lives. The ease and speed with which information is shared has often resulted in real-world consequences. A notable example is the misinformation that spread during the 2020 US presidential election, contributing to the Capitol Riots on January 6th, 2021. Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic was rife with unfounded claims about public health measures, which the World Health Organization linked to poorer health outcomes for populations worldwide.

Recognising the critical need to curb the spread of misinformation, psychologists and researchers are delving deeper into its mechanisms. Their work is pivotal in developing strategies to counteract misinformation and safeguard public discourse.

The Psychology of Misinformation

Psychologists have been making huge strides in gathering more and more information in the field of misinformation in the last few decades.

Here are some of their key findings:

• Cognitive biases: Research shows that people often believe misinformation due to their own biases, so they seek out information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or comes to a desired conclusion rather than an accurate one.

• Emotional influence: A study from MIT and the University of Regina, showed that when people encounter misinformation when they’re in a state of heightened emotions (whether positive or negative) they are more likely to believe it and less able to discern fake news from real news.  

• The Illusory Truth Effect: A study from Western Australia University showed that when information has been viewed multiple times it becomes lodged in the brain and difficult to change even when new information is presented.

• Trust and Misinformation: People are more likely to believe misinformation if it comes from people or organisations they trust and identify with (in-group sources), rather than sources that are not as well-known to them (out-group sources).

• Pre-bunking Efforts: Google, BBC Media Action and Cambridge University have collaborated in a large-scale research effort into ‘pre-bunking’ – which is to pre-empt misinformation online. They have released resources on their website, including a how-to prebunk guide, and a quiz where you can test how many manipulation techniques you can ID.

• Pro-active educational interventions: Social Psychologist, Sander Van Laden, PhD, is dedicated to running some of the world’s largest misinformation interventions. This includes co-developing free-to-play web browser children’s games such as Bad News and GoViral! which teaches children manipulation techniques used in the production of fake news.
  

5 Essential Self-Care Tactics for Mental Wellbeing

1. Pause and Reflect

If you feel yourself in a heightened emotional state in response to a distressing event or crisis, it’s important to take a minute to assess how you’re feeling and reflect on what your immediate thoughts are.

• Steer Clear of Echo Chambers

Groups of people can often form and have the same opinion. These opinions can easily spiral and spread sensationalised theories, especially if there is a lack of accountability through anonymous posting. If you find yourself feeling more and more worried while reading people’s opinions, that can be a sign to take a step back.

This can be logging out if you’re somewhere online such as TikTok, Facebook, Reddit or ‘X’ (Twitter). Or if you’re somewhere surrounded by people, it may be worth removing yourself from that situation - especially if you have fears there might be an escalation to physical violence.

• Verify Information

Large commercial news sources should also be viewed critically as they have their own biases towards immediacy (being the first to break a story) and sensationalism (driving up viewership and clicks).

You are more likely to get correct information from public service agencies and government bodies when they release statements. For example, when the police release a statement about a crime, or an environmental agency releases a statement about a natural disaster.

It is comforting to know as many facts as possible about a distressing event, however often it is the case that we do not have that information immediately. It is okay for this to be a scary experience and for you to acknowledge any feelings that come up as a result.

•  Take Regular Breaks

With the 24-hour news cycle and instant access to social media, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of information and public discourse, especially during a distressing event. It is completely fine to take a break and do something to help you relax. Go outside, enjoy nature, talk to loved ones or consume a more positive form of media.

Self-care is not selfish – it is essential.

Many smartphones now also offer features to manage app usage or set reminders, making it easier for you to remember to pause and recharge.

• Seek Support.

Often distressing events can trigger emotions that we weren’t fully aware of. We might empathise so much with a victim that we acutely feel their loss or the loss of their loved ones. We might find ourselves angry at an injustice or even fearful to re-enter the world.  

In the moments during and after a distressing event, it’s to give ourselves the space, and the validation to process these emotions as they come up. It can be helpful during this time to connect with loved ones including friends and family for support.

However, if you find yourself struggling days or weeks after, it might be time to seek professional support.

These are some of the common signs of distress:

• Feelings of feelings of anger, fear, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels
• Difficulty sleeping or disturbed sleep (e.g. nightmares)
• Physical reactions, such as headaches, migraines, body pains, stomach problems, and rashes
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
• Withdrawing from your social network

If you find any of the above is true for you, then you may want to consider visiting a GP, speaking to a counsellor, or exploring other mental health resources to get the support you need.

References