Humor can be a useful tool for correcting misinformation because:
- It can draw one's attention to otherwise unacknowledged issues
- It can enhance source evaluations
- Can increase the cognitive resources used to comprehend the message

Humor as a Misinformation Correction Tool

Humor is prevalent in many types of communication about current events and  science. Examples include late night talk shows (The Late Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers), comedy shows (Saturday Night Live), and other media communications. 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Humor is often implemented by scientists when they present information. Humor is closely related to mirth, which refers to people's perceptions of how funny, humorous, and amusing a stimulus is. Interestingly, humor and mirth can have an effect on how scientific information is communicated. Therefore, they can likely be used as a method to combat misinformation.

Solution to Misinformation: Humor

Yeo, S. & McKasy, M. (2021). Emotion and Humor as Misinformation Antidotes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(15). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2002484118

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