Misinformation Desk

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.

Education

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.

Education

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.

Education

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.

Education

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."

Education

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.

Education

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.

Education

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.

Education

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.

Education

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.

Education

Is Psychology the Key to Defusing Politics?

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on January 5, 2022

Political discussion around the world can benefit from a consideration of psychology research and a focus on emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Political discussion around the world can benefit from a consideration of psychology research and a focus on emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Education

Giving Up: Informational Learned Helplessness

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on December 23, 2021

Figuring out what is true, what is sketchy, and what is downright false can be exhausting. Some may feel like giving up.

Figuring out what is true, what is sketchy, and what is downright false can be exhausting. Some may feel like giving up.

Education

The Intent Behind a Lie: Mis-, Dis-, and Malinformation

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on December 22, 2021

There are three main categories of untruths based on the intention behind the lie.

There are three main categories of untruths based on the intention behind the lie.

Media

The Book of Veles: Disinformation From North Macedonia

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on October 5, 2021

Photojournalist Jonas Bendiksen capitalizes on his reputation for honesty to shake up his profession and ask us all to question what we see and read.

Photojournalist Jonas Bendiksen capitalizes on his reputation for honesty to shake up his profession and ask us all to question what we see and read.

Media

Nicki Minaj and PSAs: Celebrities Can Be Wrong

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on September 21, 2021

Celebrity endorsements can be both powerful and perilous, which is why we must rely on psychological science.

Celebrity endorsements can be both powerful and perilous, which is why we must rely on psychological science.

Neuroscience

Cloaked (and Dagger-ed) Science

Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., and Michael Kimball on September 8, 2021

Disinformation is often the proverbial dagger hidden under a cloak of scientific jargon, dubious data, and self-proclaimed expertise.

Disinformation is often the proverbial dagger hidden under a cloak of scientific jargon, dubious data, and self-proclaimed expertise.