Brief message cuts fake news susceptibility
Brief message promoting actively open-minded thinking reduces fake news susceptibility.
Why it matters
- Misinformation affects public attitudes on key issues.
- Brief messages can boost resistance to fake news.
By the numbers
- Two studies with 462 and 464 participants.
- Brief message highlighted 5 common thinking pitfalls.
- Intervention improved fake news discernment.
- Reduced conspiracy beliefs in both studies.
The big picture
- Promoting open-minded thinking can reduce misinformation susceptibility.
- Potential for scalable interventions to combat misinformation.
What they're saying
- Some note that deferring to experts is crucial alongside open-minded thinking.
Caveats
- Online samples may not represent broader population.
- Intervention was lengthy; real-world applicability unclear.
What’s next
- Researchers aim to develop shorter, scalable interventions.
- Testing repeated exposure for long-term effects.