Drilled The Psychology of Misinformation: Why Does It Work So Well?
Sep 30, 2025
John Cook, a senior research fellow specializing in climate misinformation, and Dominik A. Stecuła, a political scientist exploring public opinion and polarization, delve into the mechanics of misinformation. They discuss how false claims impact beliefs more than intent, and the powerful role of elite cues in shaping public opinion. The duo highlights how social media complicates the information landscape and explains the importance of framing solutions to align with values. Their insights illuminate why traditional fact-checking is often not enough to combat widespread misinformation.
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Intent Is Often Irrelevant
- Intent behind false claims is often unknowable and irrelevant to their effect.
- Dominik Stecuła and John Cook argue we should judge claims by what they do, not presumed intent.
Climate Complexity Favors Shortcuts
- People process messages via a central or peripheral route depending on motivation and capacity.
- Dominik Stecuła says climate complexity pushes most people to peripheral shortcuts, increasing vulnerability to misinformation.
Two-Way Flow Shapes Opinion
- Misinformation targets both perceptions of climate facts and support for policy.
- John Cook and Dominik Stecuła show top-down elite messaging and bottom-up social spread reinforce each other.
