7 traits of people who are more likely to fall for misinformation and fake news, according to a psychologist

In our age of information, distinguishing the real from the fake can be a real chore.

The problem isn’t just about the misinformation out there. It’s also about how we, as individuals, react to them.

As a psychologist, I’ve noticed some patterns. There are certain traits that make people more susceptible to falling for fake news and misinformation.

In this article, I will share with you the 7 traits of people who are more likely to swallow the bait of misinformation and fake news, hook, line, and sinker.

Read on, you might just save yourself from the next big hoax.

1) Lack of critical thinking

We’ve all been there. A sensational headline catches our eye, and we share the news without a second thought.

As a psychologist, I’ve seen this trait in many who often fall for misinformation and fake news. This is where critical thinking comes into play.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings.

Good critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information, and discriminate between useful and less useful details to solve a problem or make a decision.

But it’s a skill that not everyone applies, especially when dealing with news or information that aligns with their existing beliefs or biases.

And this is one of the key traits that make people more susceptible to misinformation and fake news. They see a headline or a statistic that supports their viewpoint, and they share it without digging deeper or questioning its validity.

So, it’s important to always take a step back, analyze the information at hand, ask questions, and make sure it’s based on fact before accepting it as truth.

2) Confirmation bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or values. It’s a powerful cognitive bias and a serious obstacle to objective consideration of an issue.

Let me share a personal example.

I have a friend — let’s call him Mike. Mike is passionate about politics and has strong views.

One day, he came across an article on social media that claimed a particular political figure had done something quite scandalous. The source wasn’t familiar, and the story seemed a bit far-fetched.

But here’s the thing — this political figure was from a party that Mike didn’t support. So, without questioning the source or checking the facts, he shared it on his profile with a comment about how this was “typical” of that party.

This is confirmation bias in action: Mike saw something that fit his preconceived notions, so he accepted it as fact without further scrutiny.

Confirmation bias can make us susceptible to misinformation and fake news because we’re more likely to believe stories that align with our existing views, even if they’re not based on reliable evidence or facts.

So it’s crucial to be aware of this bias and make efforts to challenge our own beliefs and verify information before accepting it as truth.

3) Low digital literacy

In this digital age, being able to navigate the internet is as essential as reading and writing.

Yet, according to a study by the Stanford History Education Group, more than 80% of students couldn’t distinguish between sponsored content and a real news story.

Digital literacy is more than just being able to use a computer or smartphone. It involves understanding how the digital world works, and that includes being able to tell reliable sources from unreliable ones and real news from fake news.

People with lower levels of digital literacy may not understand how misinformation spreads online or how to verify the information they find on the internet.

They might not be aware, for instance, of the existence of deep fakes or how algorithms can create echo chambers that reinforce their existing beliefs.

This lack of understanding about the digital environment can make them more vulnerable to fake news and misinformation, leading them to accept such content as factual without questioning it.

So, improving digital literacy is a crucial step in combating the spread of misinformation.

4) Overconfidence in personal knowledge

This is a trait that, ironically, can make even smart people vulnerable to misinformation and fake news.

Overconfidence in personal knowledge or intelligence can lead to the belief that we’re immune to falling for false information.

This can prevent us from fact-checking or seeking out additional sources because we think we’re already knowledgeable enough to discern fact from fiction.

In reality, nobody is immune to misinformation. Even the most intelligent among us can fall for a well-crafted piece of fake news if it’s disguised as a credible source or aligns with our existing beliefs.

Recognizing that we’re all susceptible is an important part of combating misinformation. It prompts us to be vigilant, double-check sources, and not take every piece of news at face value.

5) Emotion-driven responses

When I first started my practice as a psychologist, I was surprised by how much our emotions can influence our decisions. This is true even when we think we’re being completely rational.

Misinformation and fake news often play on our emotions. They’re designed to provoke strong reactions, like anger, fear, or excitement. And when we’re in the grip of strong emotions, we’re less likely to think critically about the information we’re consuming.

I remember a time when I came across a news article that made me incredibly angry. It was about a social issue I deeply cared about, and the article painted a very grim picture.

I was ready to share it with everyone I knew, but luckily, I paused and took a moment to check the source. It turned out the article was heavily biased and didn’t present the whole picture.

That experience taught me how easy it is to react based on emotion rather than facts. It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me, and it serves as a reminder to remain level-headed, especially when dealing with sensitive topics or controversial news.

6) A lack of curiosity

Curiosity is a trait often associated with intelligence, creativity, and an eagerness to learn. But it also plays a crucial role in our ability to discern real news from misinformation.

People who lack curiosity may be less likely to question the information they come across or seek out different perspectives. They may accept what they read or hear at face value without digging deeper or cross-checking facts.

A lack of curiosity can also lead to a closed mindset, where one is less open to new ideas or viewpoints.

This can make them more susceptible to misinformation that aligns with their existing beliefs and less likely to seek out or accept information that challenges those beliefs.

Cultivating a sense of curiosity can help protect against misinformation. It encourages us to keep learning, ask questions, and stay open to new ideas and perspectives.

7) Social isolation

Believe it or not, our social connections play a crucial role in how we interpret and respond to information.

When we’re socially isolated, we can become more susceptible to misinformation and fake news. This is because we lack the diverse perspectives and critical discussions that come with a robust social network.

In a social setting, we’re more likely to encounter different viewpoints and have our beliefs challenged. This can prompt us to question our assumptions and fact-check the information we receive.

However, without this social interaction, we’re left with our own biases and preconceived notions, which can make us more vulnerable to misinformation that aligns with these views.

So, stay connected, engage in healthy debates, and always be open to different perspectives. It’s one of the best defenses against misinformation.

Final thoughts: It’s in our hands

Navigating the information highway in our digital age can be daunting.

Misinformation and fake news have become an unfortunate reality, and it’s clear that certain traits can make us more susceptible to falling for them.

However, the good news is that these traits are not set in stone. They’re not unchangeable aspects of our personality, but behaviors and habits that can be modified.

We can learn to question information, to think more critically, to nurture our curiosity, and to challenge our own biases. We can improve our digital literacy and expand our social networks to expose ourselves to a wider range of perspectives.

In the end, the power to discern truth from falsehood lies within us. It’s in how we choose to react to the information we encounter and how we decide to engage with the world around us.

The challenge of fake news and misinformation might seem overwhelming, but armed with awareness, education, and a dash of skepticism, we can all play a part in stemming its flow. Because after all, an informed society is a stronger society.