Critical thinkers spot health misinformation better
People who enjoy critical thinking are better at detecting health misinformation, per a new study.
Why it matters
- Misinformation can lead to harmful health decisions.
- Critical thinking skills may help combat false claims.
By the numbers
- 508 American adults participated.
- Overall detection rate: ~67%.
- High "need for cognition" individuals: ~70% detection rate.
The big picture
- Cognitive style strongly predicts misinformation detection.
- Political bias affects evaluation of politically charged posts.
What they're saying
- Some commenters noted the modest effect size.
- Criticism of social media platforms for enabling misinformation spread.
Caveats
- Study limited to U.S. adults.
- Focused on COVID-19-era misinformation.
What’s next
- Future research could explore other cultures or current misinformation trends.
- Potential interventions to boost critical thinking skills.