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Real or Fake?
Real or Fake?
Only one of these news articles is true.
Only one of these news articles is true.
Which one do you think it is?
Which one do you think it is?
What did you guess?
What did you guess?
Did you guess #2, because it sounds the most realistic?
All three of the headlines are actually false, but #2 sounds the most true because it fits best with something we already know, that iPhones often include the latest technology. This is called confirmation bias.
Did you guess the other ones sounded more real? Ask yourself why you thought that?
Confirmation Bias
Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias, which is a tendency to interpret information in a way that affirms what we already believe.
Cognitive Bias
Cognitive Bias
Cognitive bias, which is a limitation in our thinking caused by perceiving information through our personal experiences and preferences.
Why does confirmation bias make us more likely to be fooled by "fake news"?
Why does confirmation bias make us more likely to be fooled by "fake news"?
Here's some examples of why confirmation bias make us more likely to be fooled...
Here's some examples of why confirmation bias make us more likely to be fooled...
It's hard to change our mind once we've drawn conclusions about something. It takes more than facts.
Our brains prioritize emotion over reason when evaluating the ideas of someone we like or support.
Our brain tries to protect our relationships with our "tribe" by being skeptical of ideas that the "tribe" might reject.
Did you come up with any others?
What solutions for confirmation bias did the video present?
What solutions for confirmation bias did the video present?
Activity
Activity
Biased Brains
Biased Brains
Complete part 1 by yourself or with a partner. (Make a copy of google doc to fill in sections)
Directions:
Directions:
Complete Part 1 on the Biased Brains worksheet with a partner or individually.
Choose TWO resources listed below and take notes in the Biased Brains worksheet on page 2.
Choose TWO resources to review:
Choose TWO resources to review:
What did the resource show about confirmation bias and fake news?
What did the resource show about confirmation bias and fake news?
Here are some examples:
Here are some examples:
"Cover Up, Your Confirmation Bias Is Showing"
People are more likely to spread news that has an emotional impact rather than news that is true.
On social media, people are more likely to trust stories that have lots of likes and shares. But people like and share controversial stories because they have an emotional impact, not because they are true.
Confirmation and disconfirmation bias lead us to accept news that we want to believe and reject news we don't.
Because of all the online news sources that exist, people can now seek out news stories that confirm their beliefs rather than ones that might call it into question.
"Scientists Discover Simple Psychological Tools to Battle Fake News"
Kids use fantasy and make-believe to impose order on a sometimes confusing and chaotic world, which can lead to similar behaviors in adults when we encounter news that doesn't fit our worldview.
How can we challenge confirmation bias?
How can we challenge confirmation bias?
Here are some examples:
Here are some examples:
"Cover Up, Your Confirmation Bias Is Showing"
It's important to recognize your own predispositions and values and where they come from.
People should play devil's advocate with their own beliefs and be open-minded about them.
National politics or moments of crisis are opportunities to "open our aperture" and go beyond our biases.
"Scientists Discover Simple Psychological Tools to Battle Fake News"
Humor can help us feel less stressed about information that challenges what we believe.
"Sublimation," or taking action in response to new information, can help make it less stressful.
Exposure to different sources of information and viewpoints can help us be more accepting of different ideas.
Challenging Confirmation Bias
Challenging Confirmation Bias
Complete Part 2 on the Biased Brains worksheet by yourself or with a partner.
Stuck for ideas on Step 1?
Stuck for ideas on Step 1?
Here are some examples of strategies...
Recognizing and questioning your own values and beliefs
Checking the validity of news stories by Googling or otherwise looking for other sources
Questioning news before you believe it
Looking for news stories that challenge what you think
Being open-minded
Keep brainstorming other strategies to challenge your own confirmation bias and fake news.
Step Two Hint:
Step Two Hint:
Think of synonyms for the words in your brainstorm to give yourself more options.
Think of synonyms for the words in your brainstorm to give yourself more options.
Sample answers include:
CHeK (Consider other perspectives, Hold back from drawing conclusions, Keep asking questions)
GAL (Google other sources, Ask if the story supports what you already believe, Look for articles that show the other side)
COAL (Consider your biases, Open your mind, Ask questions, Look for other sources)
What's a strategy YOU can commit to using?
What's a strategy YOU can commit to using?
Lesson Quiz
Lesson Quiz
Family Tips
Family Tips
Digital Citizenship Family Activity:
Digital Citizenship Family Activity:
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