Exploring the Psychology Behind Believing Fake News

The video explores the phenomenon of fake news, particularly its rise during the 2016 election, and how cognitive biases, especially confirmation bias, make people susceptible to believing false information. It discusses the role of identity protective cognition in maintaining social bonds and offers a three-step plan to recognize and mitigate confirmation bias.

What event highlighted the sudden rise of fake news?

• The 2020 pandemic

• The 2016 presidential election

• The 2004 Olympics

• The 2008 financial crisis

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What is cognitive bias?

• A limitation in our thinking causing judgment flaws

• A type of fake news

• A way to improve decision-making

• A method to enhance memory

Which part of the brain is responsible for reason?

• Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

• Amygdala

• Orbitofrontal cortex

• Hippocampus

What is confirmation bias?

• Seeking information that confirms our beliefs

• Ignoring all types of information

• A method to verify facts

• Believing everything we read

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What neurotransmitter is released during confirmation bias?

• Serotonin

• Oxytocin

• Dopamine

• Adrenaline

What is identity protective cognition?

• Protecting our values and relationships over adopting new beliefs

• A way to improve social standing

• A technique to remember facts

• A method to enhance cognitive abilities

Who is Tomi Lahren?

• A news anchor

• A conservative political commentator

• A scientist

• A liberal activist

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What is the first step to mitigate confirmation bias?

• Accept all viewpoints

• Recognize that you have this bias

• Ignore all information

• Avoid controversial topics

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What is the illusion of explanatory depth?

• A way to enhance memory

• A method to explain complex topics

• Believing we understand something better than we do

• A technique to simplify explanations

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What should you do in step three to mitigate confirmation bias?

• Avoid researching controversial topics

• Ignore opposing viewpoints

• Research and break down the opposing viewpoint

• Accept all information as true

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