Psychological reasons why many people easily believe hoax news

The development of technology and communication should be a stepping stone for society. However, instead of getting more advanced, Internet users are increasingly troubled by the emergence of issues that turn out to be lies (hoaxes, read hoks). Hoax news will not be a problem if people don't easily believe it and spread it. Unfortunately, many Internet users are easily trapped by hoaxes. How could this happen? Check out the following explanation!

Why do people easily believe hoax news?

According to experts in psychology and neuroscience, everyone has a natural tendency to trust easily digestible information. This is evidenced from the results of analysis of brain activity using fMRI scans. From these scans, it is known that the brain will release the hormone dopamine every time you succeed in understanding a certain fact or statement. Dopamine is responsible for making you feel positive, happy and comfortable.

Meanwhile, when receiving meticulous information, it is the part of the brain that regulates pain and disgust that is more active. So without realizing it, the human brain prefers things that are simple and easy to understand, not news that must be thought about first.

Understanding confirmation bias

Besides the brain's natural reaction to fake news, there are other reasons why it is easy to believe the issues that are circulating. Everyone may consider himself to be quite smart and critical when filtering information. However, everyone actually has a confirmation bias unconsciously.

In cognitive science and psychology, confirmation bias is the tendency to seek or interpret news according to one's values. For example, you may believe that the oldest child is definitely smarter than the youngest child. Because you already believe in this value, when you meet an eldest child, you will look for evidence and justification (confirmation) of that belief. You also ignore real facts and events where the youngest child is even more intelligent and successful than his older siblings.

This confirmation bias is what blurs the mind when receiving information circulating through news sites, social media, or applications chat. For example, hoax news about the hammer and sickle symbol in the new edition of the rupiah. Those trapped in this hoax actually already have the belief that there are certain movements that want to revive communism in Indonesia. So, when there is an issue of the hammer and sickle symbol in the new rupiah which seems to confirm (confirm) this belief, they will just believe it.

How to filter and avoid hoax news

In the following ways, you can prevent the trap of fake news spreading on the Internet.

1. Read the news first

In order to trick readers, news sites or content on social media often use headlines that are excited and provoke emotion. Even though when the contents are read from beginning to end, the news does not make sense or make it up. Always read the news until it runs out, especially about hot issues that are currently being discussed. Besides that, don't carelessly share (sharing) news that you have not read.

2. Find out the source

Make it a habit to find out the source and origin of the news. Sometimes, issue spreaders even dare to make up the names of certain expert sources or institutions to make their stories sound authentic. Make sure the information you get has an official source, for example from a government agency or trusted news agency.

3. Recognize the characteristics of hoax news

The first characteristic of a hoax is that the issue is so shocking and triggers certain emotions, for example restlessness or annoyance. Second, the news is still confusing. No official source has yet to speak up or confirm the truth. Besides, there is usually no consistent or plausible explanation. You may only get information about what happened, not the chronology of events or the logical reasons why something happened.

The third characteristic is that hoaxes are spread more on social media than on television stations, news sites, or official news agencies.