How to recognize fakes in the news: a scientific approach

1. Think skeptically

Science evolves by challenging conventional wisdom. You can show healthy skepticism and do the same.

After seeing the latest news on the Internet, Emma advises reminding herself that the information is not necessarily true. It can also be fake or, as is more often the case, something in between truth and falsehood.

2. Learn more about the source

In the scientific world, scientists must declare possible conflicts of interest before publishing their research results. When faced with any statement, you should always look for the potential interest of its source.

France recommends asking the following questions for verification:

1. Is it profitable for him what he says?

2. Is the source associated with organizations that might have influenced his opinion?

3. Is the speaker competent enough to comment?

4. What statements has he made in the past?

3. Beware of the halo effect

The halo effect is a cognitive distortion that makes us perceive people's judgments based on our own impressions of them. We willingly trust those to whom we feel sympathy, and, conversely, do not trust those who dislike us.

To avoid this, so-called blind readings are used in the scientific community. Experts who decide whether certain studies are worthy of publication study the materials without knowing which of their colleagues is their author.

This approach can be applied to your news feed as well. Emma France advises every time after reading the news to ask yourself the question: "How would I take this information, having heard it from someone else?"

4. Don't be biased

The tendency to confirm one's point of view is another behavioral feature that affects the perception of information. Its essence is that we knowingly believe the facts that coincide with our beliefs and do not notice the other points.

When gathering information for research, scientists cannot ignore data that runs counter to their opinion. Some of the researchers, France says, even deliberately recruit opposing collaborators to test their own ideas and assumptions.

In everyday life, when friends and like-minded people form news feeds on social networks, an alternative opinion is more valuable than ever. You don't have to agree with your opponents, but some variety in the information diet will only be beneficial.

5. Look for evidence

When assessing the validity of a new discovery or study, scientists ask themselves, “Can the sources be traced? Are they really reliable? Is the conclusion based on a rational assessment of the information?”. In addition, they draw on other research in this area.

Emma gives an example. If one study says wine is as beneficial to health as exercise, and 99 others indicate the opposite, then the new discovery is untenable.

Therefore, before you believe the next overwhelming news and share it with your friends, search the Internet for details. Perhaps you will find something even more interesting.

6. Distinguish between coincidences and causal relationships

France is researching ADHD, autism, and, according to her, in recent decades, people suffering from these disorders have increased. Scientists are considering vaccinations, video games and junk food as possible reasons, but no evidence has yet been found.

That is why, if two things happen at the same time, this does not mean at all that they are related. Correlation and causation are not the same thing.

In ordinary life, this rule works just as well. For example, if an increase in the number of violent crimes is associated with banditry, and the decrease in unemployment is attributed to some politician, take a broader view of the information and pay attention to other factors that may influence this.

If you are interested in the topic, more details can be found in the original video lecture from TEDx Talks.