IF posted on social media, the statement, ‘Continue Lockdown!’, is likely to receive a cascade of comments!
At the risk of slipping my head through a noose, I wonder if, looking at individuals on both sides of that debate, the most acrimonious posts on that comment string are potentially victims of their own, subconsciously-created, fake news?
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Extending the argument further – and drawing from the theory of crowd psychology – I might even point at the role of their social media consumption too.
But before the stool is kicked out from under me, let me share what I uncovered when I applied established psychology frameworks and theories to explore my musings further.
The devil deciding on your detail
First, let’s take a simplified look at how we, as human beings, make meaning or connect the dots:
In pursuit of efficiency, the brain uses existing, learned, patterns and neural pathways to interpret the information it receives.
This must happen quickly so the brain applies cognitive biases as a way to remove what it deems unhelpful.
The process is much like a set of rules a computer applies to filter data more swiftly.
Therefore, cognitive biases influence the way we make our decisions and inform ours beliefs and behaviours.
Unfortunately, they are also thought to be responsible for our errors and irrational thinking.
An example of cognitive bias is confirmation bias in which we favour, search for, and retain only the information that confirms our existing patterns of being or belief.
When you add to this the murky unknown of slippery ‘facts’, and the intentional misinformation that is increasingly the reality of the Covid-19 continuum, you have a perfect storm for cognitive bias overdrive.
In fact, I would go so far as to call it an ideal environment for potentially calamitous public discourse and actions; a breeding ground in which conspiracy theories – and theorists – flourish.
Do you have the courage to face yourself?
Within the privacy of your own thoughts, assuming you haven’t already set me swinging on the end of that proverbial rope, I challenge you to a little introspection.
Examine your own response to the ‘Continue Lockdown!’ statement honestly and tick off any that apply to you – if you dare!
1. I look for, or heavily favour, information that confirms my existing opinions and beliefs
2. I feel the need to blame others when things go wrong or even want to see someone punished
3. I become defensive / feel hurt when friends and family show negativity toward my opinions or the beliefs I express
4. I find myself minimising or overlooking dangers to support my needs, opinions and beliefs
5. I prefer to believe bad things only happen to others – or that my position in life, such as financial, education or race, exclude me from the effects of the event at hand
6. I tend to share opinions as if I am actually an expert or scientist without acknowledging what I don’t know and my limitations to create balance
At this point, some of you may have already tightened the noose and left me to my fate.
However, if you are still with me, consider the effects of cognitive bias (add in crowd psychology).
Isn’t it possible that SOME of those loud commentators on that social post would have ticked many of these boxes?
If you have, too, then take the opportunity to question how you formed your response to that lockdown statement.
To explore your thinking from a different perspective, consider also what would need to change as a parameter in the debate, e.g. job security, vaccine availability or better finances.
What would sway your opinion to a different side of this debate?
It is important for us all, especially when we are about to shout at full volume in public (i.e. social media), to take stock of our current feelings, beliefs and opinions first.
Put them under the spotlight to check for cognitive biases before you post.
Don’t risk the regret of falling victim to your own fake news, the latest conspiracy theory or manipulation by those using social media to further their own agendas.
When we take the time to think about why we think what we do, we have the opportunity to adapt our responses too.
That’s the first step to taking accountability for containing the spread of our own cognitive ‘virus’; our internal fake news.
For more on the influence of crowd psychology click here https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2020/04/27/Pandemic-New-Danger-Zone/?
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