When Does Election Debunking Work? New Model Provides Insights

Summary: A study using a computational model reveals factors that influence whether debunking efforts about disputed election results will persuade people to change their beliefs. The model shows that debunking…

Is ‘coaching’ a shortcut to mental health care? Not so fast − here are key differences

Life coach, wellness coach, business coach, weight loss coach, breakup coach – the list goes on and on. All are different titles for similar jobs, with the same limitation: Anyone…

Vaccines tell a success story that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Trump forget – here are some key reminders

Vaccinations have provided significant protection for the public against infectious diseases. However, there was a modest decrease in support in 2023 nationwide for vaccine requirements for children to attend public…

Health misinformation is rampant on social media – here’s what it does, why it spreads and what people can do about it

The global anti-vaccine movement and vaccine hesitancy that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic show no signs of abating. According to a survey of U.S. adults, Americans in October 2023 were…

Social Media Algorithms Distort Social Instincts and Fuel Misinformation

Summary: Social media algorithms, designed to boost user engagement for advertising revenue, amplify the biases inherent in human social learning processes, leading to misinformation and polarization. As humans naturally learn…