Fake news gives rise to fake memories: Study shows many people recall details that never happened after reading a fabricated report – especially if it back up their opinions
- In study researchers presented participants with real and falsified news reports
- They found people are more likely to remember false facts about opposing party
- Researchers also found that participants with lower cognitive test scores were more likely to remember falsehoods that supported their political opinions
- But, low test scores did not make them likely to remember fake details overall
The consequences of fabricated news stories may have lingering effects on your perception.
According to a new study, voters may develop false memories after reading a fake news report. And, they’re more likely to do so if the narrative lines up with their own beliefs.
Researchers presented over 3,000 eligible voters in Ireland with legitimate and made-up stories ahead of the 2018 referendum on legalizing abortion.
In subsequent questioning – and after being told that some of the reports were fake – nearly half of participants reported a memory for at least one of the fabricated events, and many tended to be steadfast in these beliefs.
According to a new study, voters may develop false memories after reading a fake news report. And, they’re more likely to do so if the narrative lines up with their own beliefs. File photo
‘In highly emotional, partisan political contests, such as the 2020 US Presidential election, voters may “remember” entirely fabricated news stories,’ said lead author Gillian Murphy, from University College Cork.
‘In particular, they are likely to “remember” scandals that reflect poorly on the opposing candidate.’
For the study, researchers recruited 3,140 eligible voters online a week before the referendum and asked each how they planned to vote.
Participants were then shown six news reports, two of which were falsified and involved campaigners engaging in illegal or inflammatory behavior.
They were also then asked if they had heard of the events described in the articles, and asked to detail specific memories they had, if so.
According to the researchers, the participants were more likely to remember a falsehood about the opposing party and were even able to recount details not included in the fake reports.
‘This demonstrates the ease with which we can plant these fabricated memories, despite this voter suspicion and even despite an explicit warning that they may have been shown fake news,’ Murphy says.
Cognitive tests also conducted for the study showed that low scores did not make a person more likely to form false memories.
But, these participants were more likely to remember false details that supported their opinions.
‘People will act on their fake memories, and it is often hard to convince them that fake news is fake,’ says memory researcher Elizabeth Loftus, of the University of California, Irvine.
‘With the growing ability to make news incredibly convincing, how are we going to help people avoid being misled? It’s a problem that psychological scientists may be uniquely qualified to work on.’
