Busting the Myths: Understanding Why We Believe Things That Aren't True

 

In a world filled with disinformation and fake news, it's more important than ever to understand why we believe things that aren't true. From urban legends to political falsehoods, false beliefs can influence the way we vote, whom we elect, and what policies are enacted. But why do we so easily fall for myths and untruths?

According to research, most of us harbor at least some false beliefs, even if we don't realize it. In fact, a study by the British Medical Journal found that even doctors endorse many common misconceptions, such as the idea that we only use 10 percent of our brain capacity. However, when it comes to hot-button political issues, falsehoods can be particularly harmful.

So, why do people believe things that aren't true? Psychologists have identified several cognitive biases or mental shortcuts that can lead to the acceptance of false information.

One such bias is the availability heuristic, which refers to the tendency to overestimate the frequency of an event when it is more "available" or vivid in our memory. This bias can lead us to believe that certain events, such as police officers being killed on the job, are more common than they actually are.

Another bias is confirmation bias, which refers to the tendency to seek out, interpret, and favor information that confirms our existing beliefs. This bias can make it difficult for us to accept new information that contradicts our existing beliefs.

Additionally, the backfire effect can lead us to double down on our beliefs when presented with evidence that contradicts them. Instead of adjusting our beliefs, we may become more convinced that our existing beliefs are true.

Lastly, the illusory truth effect refers to the phenomenon where repeated exposure to a statement, whether true or false, can make it seem more true. This can occur when false claims are repeatedly shared on social media or in the media, making it challenging to differentiate between true and false information.

To better protect ourselves from false information, it's important to be aware of these cognitive biases and to actively work on developing critical thinking skills. This includes learning how to evaluate sources, fact-checking information, and being open to changing our beliefs in light of new evidence.

It's also important to actively seek out a diverse range of information and perspectives, rather than simply relying on a few sources that confirm our existing beliefs.

As Harvard psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains, "It is easier to recognize other people's biases than our own. But the effort is worth it: we are all susceptible to believing whatever makes us feel good." By understanding why we believe things that aren't true, we can work to overcome these biases and make more informed decisions.