- The story aligns with the reader's own experience and/or opinions
- The story  is highlighting an issue the reader believes is being suppressed/underreported
- The story includes data and graphs that the reader finds convincing

Pepperdine University

- Cognitive biases 
- Accuracy of information is not a priority when gaining knowledge 
- The source of information is unknown or unreliable 
- Sources are often listed after the information has already been presented and embedded into one's knowledge base
- Evidence for a piece of information is not relevant  but gives the illusion of support 
- Alternative viewpoints are not considered
- Monitoring the accuracy of information takes great effort
- Working against one's own biases is difficult

Reasons for inaccurate evaluation of information

Preston S., Anderson A., Robertson D.J., Shephard M.P., & Huhe N. (2021) Detecting fake news on Facebook: The role of emotional intelligence. PLoS ONE 16(3) 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.024675

Detecting fake news on Facebook: The role of
emotional intelligence

- Make accuracy of information a goal and monitor achievement of this goal
- Develop strategies for obtaining accurate information
- Value the effort required to accurately evaluate information


Requirements for accurate evaluation of information

- Educate the public about cognitive biases
- Teach techniques for assessing the quality and relevance of sources 
- Inform the public about what constitutes a reason-based argument
- Teach applied reason and critical thinking

Ways to mitigate inaccurate evaluation of information

Common Reasons Given for Believing Fake News Stories

- The story aligns with the reader's own experience and/or opinions
- The story is highlighting an issue the reader believes is being suppressed/underreported
- The story includes data and graphs that the reader finds convincing

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