Theme 1: Memory in Daily Life
Pandemics and infodemics: Research on the effects of misinformation on memory
(Greenspan & Loftus, 2020)
Infodemic: descriptor used for the current media climate describing its abundance of
both accurate and inaccurate information
Health-related online searches are very frequent, during which people are likely to
encounter misinformation that can have serious negative consequences
Current study → discuss the varying definitions of misinformation, research from
cognitive scientists about whether and when people are susceptible to misinformation,
and possible technology-based solutions to prevent misinformation spread
Misinformation: sometimes is separated from disinformation (which is intentional) but
determining intentionality can be difficult so we consider the definition of misinformation
as information that is inaccurate regardless of intentionality
the misinformation effect: exposing people to misinformation can negatively affect their
memory of previous knowledge
Past research on the effects of misinformation on memory
- misinformation effect is stronger in younger children and older adults → older
adults are less technologically apt & use social media for socialising more than
for information seeking
- people are more susceptible to misinformation when it fits with their preexisting
attitudes
- repeated exposure to information makes that information feel more familiar and
thus more accurate (& harder to correct afterwards)
Continued influence effect: when misinformation is withdrawn, it can still continue to
influence people → preventing is more effective that debunking
Pandemics and infodemics: Research on the effects of misinformation on memory
(Greenspan & Loftus, 2020)
Infodemic: descriptor used for the current media climate describing its abundance of
both accurate and inaccurate information
Health-related online searches are very frequent, during which people are likely to
encounter misinformation that can have serious negative consequences
Current study → discuss the varying definitions of misinformation, research from
cognitive scientists about whether and when people are susceptible to misinformation,
and possible technology-based solutions to prevent misinformation spread
Misinformation: sometimes is separated from disinformation (which is intentional) but
determining intentionality can be difficult so we consider the definition of misinformation
as information that is inaccurate regardless of intentionality
the misinformation effect: exposing people to misinformation can negatively affect their
memory of previous knowledge
Past research on the effects of misinformation on memory
- misinformation effect is stronger in younger children and older adults → older
adults are less technologically apt & use social media for socialising more than
for information seeking
- people are more susceptible to misinformation when it fits with their preexisting
attitudes
- repeated exposure to information makes that information feel more familiar and
thus more accurate (& harder to correct afterwards)
Continued influence effect: when misinformation is withdrawn, it can still continue to
influence people → preventing is more effective that debunking
