Post #9

 Post #9

Final EOTO: Illusory Truth Theory

    Have you ever caught yourself believing something simply because you've heard it so many times and then realized that it's not even true? That is not forgetfulness and insufficient effort; it's an actual psychological phenomenon called the Illusory Truth Effect. And it's more powerful and prevalent than we might be ready to acknowledge.

    The Illusory Truth Effect is when people start believing misinformation simply because it's been repeated over and over. Even if we know the truth, constant repetition of misinformation is likely to wear down our doubt in the long run. Over time, what is familiar becomes true even if it's not.

    This phenomenon was originally reported in the 1970s, but in today's culture of constant news, social media curators, and echo chambers, it's more timely than ever. Consider it: TikTok trends, viral tweets, YouTube personality repetition is omnipresent. And not everything is based on reality.

    On the surface, repetition is not inherently bad. It's how we learn language, create habits, and memorize facts for tests. In education and marketing, repetition is used to reinforce important messages. But when the message is false — that vaccines are dangerous, or that some groups of people are less than others — the Illusory Truth Effect is a significant threat.

    Disinformation spreads faster than ever, especially on the internet. One lie might raise an eyebrow, but a hundred. That is where the danger lies. It can sway public opinion, influence elections, exacerbate divisions, and even incite violence.

    Even though everybody is open to this effect, some sectors could feel itstronger. Seniors, for instance, would struggle to differentiate reality from make-believe due to diminishing thinking skills or being foreign to cyber media. However unexpectedly, teenage digital natives aren't excluded from it either. Gen Z could be confident dealing with social media, but it does not qualify us as being misinformation detection specialists, especially if presented in the guise of current looks and pleasing sounds.

    Socioeconomic status comes into play as well. Those who have limited access to quality education or critical media literacy skills are more likely to internalize repeated lies. And minority groups already targeted by stereotype and bias can be further disenfranchised when lies about them are legitimized through repetition.

    When I heard about the Illusory Truth Effect, the first thing that came to mind was how many times I've spewed something I'd read online about without verifying. If it's a quote from some celeb or a health "hack" or a bit of political gossip I've surely been duped. So have my friends. So have my relatives. We are in an era where becoming well-informed isn't about being smart it's about being wary.

    This phenomenon has made me pause before I click "share" something I've heard. It reminds us that even when we're not consciously sharing misinformation, we might be doing it anyway. And if we all get that little bit wiser about what we consume and share, we can curtail the tide of deception and maybe, just maybe, begin to spread a little more truth instead.