EOTO Illusory Truth Effect

What is Illusory Truth Effect?

The illusory truth effect was first spoken of in 1997 by a psychologist named Dr. Lynn Hasher. 

Illusory truth effect is when a statement of false information is repeated over and over again til people finally believe the false information is true. 

While the perceived credibility of a statement's source increases people's outlooks of truth as we might expect, the truth effect persists even when sources are thought to be unreliable and especially when the source of the statement is not easy to understand, according to a 2010 meta-analytic review of the truth effect.

Way it Affects Society?

The Illusory truth effect impact’s society by allowing for people to believe in information that isn’t actually true. 

It helps people to believe in something good, gives them hope and comfort. 

When things could be going wrong. 

Truth and frequently occurring events are typically grouped together in this world. 

This implies that, regardless of how substantial or extensive the lie, people frequently combine fluency with truthfulness.

That’s why people end up believing the lies that politicians make up.

The negative thing about the illusory truth effect since it does allow for us to believe in false information people may not actually know the truth. 

For instance, when people are exposed to information more often, as when it is shared or posted on social media, more people will begin to believe it and assume it is true. 

Just like when one person shared false information about Disney parks lowering the drinking age. 

This information was not true but the more that people shared it the more people began to believe it and had to do their own research to find out if this information was false or true.

Especially since the more people say the information over and over it then starts to lead us to believe that the information is true before we even confirm with sources.

Illusory Truth Effect in Groups

The illusory truth effect definitely happens more with more of the younger generation. 

The younger people tend to more likely believe in the information they read on social media without even checking if the source is legitimate.

The people who tend to say false information are politicians who want their audience to believe in their false information.

Especially around election time they want to make themselves seem like they are the best candidate for the job especially to the public eye.

People tend to listen to what they have to  say and believe in the false information which then influences their decision when it’s time to vote.

When Covid - 19 was happening and the virus first all started not many people knew much about the sickness because it was first being discovered.

Yet people still believed in all the information that was being said about the virus. 

People mostly believed in what was said on social media even if it wasn’t coming from doctors or health care workers.

The way this can affect people is by giving people the strength when they may need it the most even if they are believing in something that isn’t the real truth.