Misinformation Desk

Genetics

The Dangerous Resurgence of “Bad Genes” Language

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on October 30, 2024

As debunked ideas from race science experience a resurgence, the history of psychology and eugenics highlight the perils.

As debunked ideas from race science experience a resurgence, the history of psychology and eugenics highlight the perils.

Media

But It Feels True

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on October 19, 2024

When we experience emotion in response to new information, that’s a cue to pause and ask good questions to be sure our feelings don’t outweigh our reason.

When we experience emotion in response to new information, that’s a cue to pause and ask good questions to be sure our feelings don’t outweigh our reason.

Environment

"Just Call It Climate Change"

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on September 24, 2024

Research suggests that familiar terms, such as "climate change," lead to higher rates of concern and urgency than less familiar terms, like "climate crisis."

Research suggests that familiar terms, such as "climate change," lead to higher rates of concern and urgency than less familiar terms, like "climate crisis."

Bias

Don’t Avoid That Political Disagreement. It Might Be Fun

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on September 5, 2024

We often think discussing a politically divisive topic with someone who disagrees with us would be unpleasant. Research suggests we may be wrong.

We often think discussing a politically divisive topic with someone who disagrees with us would be unpleasant. Research suggests we may be wrong.

Media

Why It's Important for Journalists to Correct Misconceptions

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on August 25, 2024

When nonverbal learning disorders came up after the Democratic National Convention, much of the media offered careful corrections.

When nonverbal learning disorders came up after the Democratic National Convention, much of the media offered careful corrections.

Media

Fake News Cleaner and the Growth of Media Literacy Training

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on April 18, 2024

A small nonprofit, Fake News Cleaner, fights misinformation in Taiwan among people of all ages, while the United States increasingly mandates media literacy training in schools.

A small nonprofit, Fake News Cleaner, fights misinformation in Taiwan among people of all ages, while the United States increasingly mandates media literacy training in schools.

Decision-Making

Phishing: Who Takes the Bait?

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on March 21, 2023

Although many of us fall for a scam email every once in a while (at least momentarily), there are cognitive factors that increase our risk.

Although many of us fall for a scam email every once in a while (at least momentarily), there are cognitive factors that increase our risk.

Education

Learning to Lie: The Perils of ChatGPT

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on March 15, 2023

Despite some built-in safeguards, it’s currently not that hard to get ChatGPT to generate misinformation.

Despite some built-in safeguards, it’s currently not that hard to get ChatGPT to generate misinformation.

Education

How Countries Around the World Support News Literacy

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on January 20, 2023

Just in time for News Literacy Week, New Jersey greenlights mandatory K-12 information literacy training with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Just in time for News Literacy Week, New Jersey greenlights mandatory K-12 information literacy training with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Media

Study: Few People Read What They Share

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on December 19, 2022

Research suggests that sharing articles makes us feel more knowledgeable, even if we are not.

Research suggests that sharing articles makes us feel more knowledgeable, even if we are not.

Media

Volcano Snails, The Credible Hulk, and a Model Correction

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on November 11, 2022

A popular science social media feed that prides itself on facts demonstrates just how to respond when we unwittingly propagate misinformation.

A popular science social media feed that prides itself on facts demonstrates just how to respond when we unwittingly propagate misinformation.

Environment

If the Experts Agree, Maybe You Should Too

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on November 6, 2022

When people learn that scientists agree on a given controversial topic, they often shift their beliefs toward that consensus.

When people learn that scientists agree on a given controversial topic, they often shift their beliefs toward that consensus.

Replication Crisis

The Power of Replication: A Study of Baseball Cards

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on September 28, 2022

A study of vintage baseball cards found the effects of smiling on players’ lifespans, but it was not replicated in a second study with a larger sample.

A study of vintage baseball cards found the effects of smiling on players’ lifespans, but it was not replicated in a second study with a larger sample.

Media

Is That Video Real—or CGI?

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on August 19, 2022

Computer-generated photos and videos are often created as art or entertainment, but bad social media actors sometimes share them as "news."

Computer-generated photos and videos are often created as art or entertainment, but bad social media actors sometimes share them as "news."

Attention

Why You Need to Know About Preprints

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on August 12, 2022

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve all become consumers of science—which is why we need to understand the difference between a preprint and a peer-reviewed article.

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve all become consumers of science—which is why we need to understand the difference between a preprint and a peer-reviewed article.

Bias

When a Group Seems Threatening It May Feel Like “They’re Everywhere!”

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on May 31, 2022

Recent research demonstrates that when a group is perceived as threatening, people believe that there are more people in that group than there really are.

Recent research demonstrates that when a group is perceived as threatening, people believe that there are more people in that group than there really are.

Media

How Finland Fights Disinformation

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on May 23, 2022

Finland prioritizes media literacy training as early as primary school, and research shows that it works. The United States would be wise to follow suit.

Finland prioritizes media literacy training as early as primary school, and research shows that it works. The United States would be wise to follow suit.

Trust

Visual Forensics: Can We Trust Photos?

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on May 19, 2022

Photos can lie, but careful authentication of photos by journalists and indepdent fact-checkers have fought misinformation about Ukranian successes and Russian atrocities.

Photos can lie, but careful authentication of photos by journalists and indepdent fact-checkers have fought misinformation about Ukranian successes and Russian atrocities.

Bias

The Confirmation Bias of Wordle Fans

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on March 17, 2022

If you believed the (false) narrative that The New York Times ruined Wordle, you looked for evidence to support it, and only that evidence.

If you believed the (false) narrative that The New York Times ruined Wordle, you looked for evidence to support it, and only that evidence.

Media

Misinform, Rinse, Repeat: An Effective Talk-Radio Tactic

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on February 22, 2022

Psychology research shows that repetition increases believability, even for information we know isn’t true.

Psychology research shows that repetition increases believability, even for information we know isn’t true.