What is the Illusory truth effect?
The Illusory truth effect is the tendency to believe information based on repetition. The more an idea is repeated, the more likely is that people will believe it to be true without checking or cross-referencing with other sources.
The illusory truth effect was originally demonstrated through experiments by American psychologist Professor Elizabeth Loftus in 1975. She showed participants a video of a car driving and crashing into another vehicle. Approximately 1/5 of participants reported having seen broken glass when there were no broken windows in the footage. Through repetition, they believed they had witnessed something that did not occur.
This phenomenon can also be applied outside of memory and eyewitness testimonies and even apply to text written about something, regardless of how accurate that text might – the more often it is read, the more likely it is that readers will believe it to be true.
Rational and critical thinking involves thoroughly investigating and analysing material before accepting it as fact, especially if the information is in line with one’s own beliefs.
How does this work?
Typically, the illusory truth effect works because people do not think critically enough about the information that they are presented with. If something is repeated often enough by a person, organization or other source, it begins to seem more true even if there are no facts to support it.
Why do people use this bias?
People don’t always have time to properly investigate every piece of information they come across so repeating an idea or fact can be helpful for those who want quick answers. However, some repeat claims without checking on them because of laziness and confirmation bias.
How to avoid it?
To avoid using this bias in your own life try following these steps: – Avoid only reading one side of an argument – Try to research both sides of an issue and form your own informed opinion. – Be aware of the information you see and hear and consider its source before believing it to be true. – Remember that you cannot change facts, so if there is a piece of evidence that contradicts your view hold onto it.
Which profession use this Illusory truth effect?
Journalists often present facts without crediting them because they know people will read their articles even if they do not credit their sources. This way journalists can get away with presenting false or biased information without having to refute accusations in case they lose credibility through argumentation over the matter. Lawyers also tend to repeat the same claims in court to make them seem more truthful and lawyers also try and influence jury decisions by doing this.
Which group/profession is more likely to use it?
Journalists are typically most likely to use the effect because they only need to produce good stories rather than good information. Lawyers are also more likely to use it as their profession does not require them confirm every piece of information they read before using it. People who have already made up their minds about an issue are also more likely to make use of the Illusory truth effect.
Illusory truth effect Conclusion.
The illusory truth effect means that people will believe something is true even if there is no evidence supporting this claim due to repetition of the idea by others. Through confirmation bias, laziness and poor argumentation, journalists tend to take advantage of this phenomenon in order to present false information without having to prove it. Lawyers also tend to use this bias when influencing jury decisions and repeating claims in court, while readers who want quick (but wrong) answers are the most likely people to be affected by the effect. The more often an idea is repeated, the more likely it is that people will believe it’s true regardless of whether there is any evidence supporting this claim or not.
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