Viral spread of fake science
Why do we perceive fake research to be real and spread it like COVID-19?
The unethical practice of spreading fake information is not only restricted to current affairs but is also prevalent in scientific communication. It becomes difficult to set apart fake news from real news when we have a lack of knowledge in that domain. But there are other factors that make this distinction difficult.
The world will end on Dooms Day, hypnosis can make you aware of your past life experiences, people have the power to levitate mid-air if they follow a specific regime…Why do all these pieces of information instantly grab our attention? If you notice, these reports are bizarre and unexpected.
Fake news is often conflicting in nature. For instance, would you believe COVID-19 to have originated in a Chinese lab or in the natural environment? Moreover, it is usually presented as novel and in an emotional context to gain attention and trust.
Fluency plays an important role in our perception of information to be fake or real. When ambiguous or uncertain scientific findings are communicated fluently, they are believed to be true. Here, the fluency may not necessary be at the writer’s end, but at the reader’s end: how easily can they comprehend the information.
Now that we’re aware of some of the factors underlying the “illusory truth effect,” let’s be mindful of them when we read a science article. If you can think of more factors, feel free to post them as comments here!
