COVID-19 has killed 250,000 Americans and counting. We’re nine months into the pandemic, and our infection rates are worse than ever. A majority of people across the political spectrum acknowledge the danger of COVID-19. But research has found there’s still a large political divide, as Republicans are less likely to believe science More
IF ANY GROUP understands the toll misinformation can take on the public understanding of science, it’s climate scientists. For years, they have been trying to convey the findings from a ceaseless stream of studies showing the world is warming, while combating misinterpretations and outright fake news. A similar infodemic—a surplus of More
A sample of research on how trust may increase exposure to infection, wisdom of the crowd, aging and memory for distractors, social distancing motivated by empathy, using fake-news to enhance memory for facts, children’s cognitive reflection and understanding of science, and choice-induced preference in infancy. More
Thinking back on a time you encountered false information or “fake news” may prime your brain to better recall truthful memories. More
One of the most frustrating aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is seeing all of the false information circulating around social media. I was inspired to write this article after reading unfortunate (and inaccurate) comments on a local Georgia school district’s Facebook page after they announced that three of its high schools were More
If you’re looking for solid information on COVID-19, the Internet is not always your best bet—equal parts encyclopedia and junkyard, solid science on the one hand and rubbish, rumors and fabulism on the other. Distinguishing between the two is not always easy, and with so much of the time we spend More
