Media literacy 101: Psychological Defence and Resilience - Cognitive Immunisation Games Bad News Go Viral

What This Is

Cognitive Immunisation Games, such as "Bad News" and "Go Viral!", are interactive tools designed to help people develop critical thinking skills and resist the spread of misinformation. These games work by pre-exposing players to weakened versions of propaganda and disinformation, building their resistance to more convincing forms of manipulation. For example, the "Bad News" game, developed by researchers at the University of Washington, uses a combination of storytelling and interactive exercises to teach players how to identify and resist propaganda tactics.

Key Theories & Models

• Propaganda Model (Herman & Chomsky): Five filters (ownership, funding, sourcing, flak, anti-communism/ideology) shape news into pro-establishment narratives – explains why some stories are systematically marginalised.
• Inoculation Theory (McGuire, Compton): Pre-exposing people to weakened versions of misinformation can build resistance – basis for pre-bunking games like "Bad News".
• Framing Effect (Sapir-Whorf): The way information is presented influences how it is perceived and understood – used in advertising and propaganda to shape public opinion.
• Agenda-Setting Theory (McCombs & Shaw): The media sets the public agenda by deciding what issues to cover and how to frame them – used to influence public discourse and shape policy.
• Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner): People define themselves in relation to social groups and are more likely to accept information that confirms their group identity – used in propaganda to create a sense of shared identity and loyalty.
• Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger): People experience discomfort when their beliefs are challenged and are more likely to accept information that confirms their existing views – used in propaganda to create a sense of certainty and confidence.
• Confirmation Bias (Nickerson): People tend to seek out information that confirms their existing views and ignore information that challenges them – used in propaganda to create a sense of certainty and confidence.
• Availability Heuristic (Tversky & Kahneman): People overestimate the importance or likelihood of information that is readily available – used in propaganda to create a sense of urgency or crisis.
• Anchoring Effect (Tversky & Kahneman): People tend to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive when making decisions – used in propaganda to create a sense of inevitability or consensus.

Step-by-Step Application

1. Identify the goal of the message: Determine what the message is trying to achieve, such as influencing public opinion or shaping policy.
2. Analyze the framing: Examine how the message is framed, including the language, imagery, and tone used.
3. Look for biases and fallacies: Identify any biases or fallacies in the message, such as confirmation bias or the availability heuristic.
4. Check the sources: Verify the credibility and reliability of the sources cited in the message.
5. Consider the context: Take into account the broader social and cultural context in which the message is being communicated.
6. Evaluate the evidence: Assess the quality and relevance of the evidence presented in the message.

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: "Propaganda is just lies."
• Correction: Propaganda often uses truthful information, but presents it in a way that is misleading or deceptive. For example, the tobacco industry used scientific research to argue that smoking was not a health risk, while simultaneously funding research that suggested the opposite.
• Misconception: "Smart people can't be fooled."
• Correction: Anyone can be fooled by propaganda, regardless of their intelligence or education. Propaganda often uses complex and sophisticated tactics to manipulate people's perceptions and beliefs.
• Misconception: "The news is completely objective."
• Correction: While some news outlets strive for objectivity, many others have a clear bias or agenda. It's essential to critically evaluate the sources and methods used in news reporting.
• Misconception: "Fact-checking always works."
• Correction: Fact-checking is not foolproof, and even the most rigorous fact-checking efforts can be flawed or biased. It's essential to consider multiple sources and perspectives when evaluating information.

Exam / Case Interview Tips

• Be prepared to identify propaganda tactics: Familiarize yourself with common propaganda techniques, such as framing, anchoring, and confirmation bias.
• Analyze the context: Consider the broader social and cultural context in which the message is being communicated.
• Evaluate the evidence: Assess the quality and relevance of the evidence presented in the message.
• Distinguish between disinformation and misinformation: Disinformation is intentionally false information, while misinformation is unintentionally false information.
• Be aware of framing and agenda-setting: The way information is presented can influence how it is perceived and understood.

Quick Practice Scenario

A news outlet repeatedly pairs the word "crisis" with images of migrants. What framing technique is being used and what is its likely effect?

Answer: The framing technique being used is the "crisis framing" effect, which creates a sense of urgency and danger. This is likely to influence public opinion and shape policy decisions.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Propaganda: The spread of information, ideas, or attitudes intended to influence public opinion or behavior.
• Inoculation Theory: Pre-exposing people to weakened versions of misinformation can build resistance.
• Framing Effect: The way information is presented influences how it is perceived and understood.
• Agenda-Setting Theory: The media sets the public agenda by deciding what issues to cover and how to frame them.
• Social Identity Theory: People define themselves in relation to social groups and are more likely to accept information that confirms their group identity.
• Cognitive Dissonance Theory: People experience discomfort when their beliefs are challenged and are more likely to accept information that confirms their existing views.
• Confirmation Bias: People tend to seek out information that confirms their existing views and ignore information that challenges them.
• Availability Heuristic: People overestimate the importance or likelihood of information that is readily available.
• Anchoring Effect: People tend to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive when making decisions.
• Edward Bernays: A pioneer of modern propaganda and public relations.
• Noam Chomsky: A critic of propaganda and media manipulation.
• Walter Lippmann: A journalist and critic of propaganda and media manipulation.
• Jacques Ellul: A philosopher and critic of propaganda and media manipulation.
• Cambridge Analytica: A data analytics firm that used propaganda and disinformation to influence the 2016 US presidential election.
• Russian Internet Research Agency: A Russian troll farm that used propaganda and disinformation to influence the 2016 US presidential election.
• Tobacco industry disinformation: The tobacco industry used propaganda and disinformation to downplay the health risks of smoking.
• Climate denial: The denial of climate change is a form of propaganda and disinformation.
• Viral misinformation during COVID-19: The spread of misinformation about COVID-19 is a form of propaganda and disinformation.