Wait A Minute...What Isn't Right Here? Investigating How We Identify, Learn, and Evaluate True and Untrue Information Pubblico

Abstract

Compiling and extending information is a focus in the literature surrounding the perpetuation of untrue information and the literature that focuses on self-derivation, or the generation, of novel information. Yet, few studies have put these two fields in conversation with one another and focused specifically on the manner in which untrue information is incorporated into an individual’s knowledge base and used to draw novel conclusions and inform future decisions. In a study with university undergraduate students, I examined differences in participants’ ability to derive new information when they encountered untrue information. I also tested differences in self-derivation performance before and after an opportunity to self-correct when untrue information was consistent as opposed to inconsistent with a participant’s prior knowledge. Lower self-derivation performance was present in all instances in which participants encountered untrue information, but performance was lowest in instances where participants encountered information that was both untrue and consistent with their prior knowledge base. These patterns of findings suggest that the presence of untrue information can impair an individual’s self-derivation performance, and that inconsistency of untrue information is a key part of how an individual identifies and corrects the untrue information they encounter. 

Table of Contents

Abstract: 2

Introduction: 3

Method: 7

Results: 14

Discussion: 20

References: 28

Figures: 30

Appendix: 37

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	Psychology
Subfield / Discipline	Cognition and Development
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, General Psychology, Developmental
Parola chiave	fake news true false self-derivation learning integration memory
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Patricia Bauer, Emory University
Committee Members	Eve Mullen, Emory University Joseph Manns, Emory University

Ultima modifica

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Wait A Minute...What Isn't Right Here? Investigating How We Identify, Learn, and Evaluate True and Untrue Information ()	2021-04-11 10:05:03 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions