54: How to Combat Misinformation with Matthew Facciani

Today we chat with misinformation researcher Matthew Facciani, PhD to explore the psychological factors behind how we process information in our increasingly polarized world. From social media algorithms to the comfort of echo chambers, we dive into why challenging our beliefs feels so threatening and what we can do about it.

In conversation, we discuss—

* The evolution of "misinformation" from a psychology research term to a polarizing concept in today's media landscape

* The concept of "social identity complexity" and why having separate, independent identities makes us more resilient to misinformation

* Signs you might need to fact-check a piece of content

* The "pre-bunking" approach to misinformation resistance and why it works better than debunking

* Why some people are soooo into conspiracy theories

* Practical ways to strengthen your resistance to misinformation while maintaining your core values

Matthew Facciani, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on media literacy, misinformation, social networks, political polarization, identities, and artificial intelligence. Order his book— Misguided: Where Misinformation Starts, How It Spreads, and What to Do About It !

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