False news stories can often fool people into believing it as fact but the probability largely depends on an individual's political views. The recent influx of false news stories have tricked countless of individuals into spreading false information. While false news isn't exactly something new, the availability of the internet has made these news spread at an alarmingly fast rate.
According to PsychologicalScience, there are factors that influence the tendency of an individual into believing false news stories. Political and social views play a big factor in determining whether or not a person believes and spreads false news.Professor Daniel Fessler explained that neither liberal nor conservative views has an advantage over the other in terms of solving the world's problems. However, political orientation can greatly influence how news is perceived.
Research shows that political orientation has an influence in predicting an individual's response. Conservatives tend to show more sensitivity towards threatening stimuli as opposed to liberals.Socially conservative people are more likely to believe in false news regarding threats around the world than those who are liberal. "Conservatives see safety in the status quo, while liberals see opportunity in change", Fessler added.
Furthermore, the study reveals that people are more inclined into believing false news stories that speak about danger than news that speak about benefits. According to Fessler, people have a general tendency of taking news regarding dangers more seriously.
Fessler exclaimed that people should be as objective and as rational as they can be, specially in an era he considers as "rapidly changing." With the constant emergence of false news stories, it's becoming even harder to distinguish fact from fiction.
Some false stories are created with the intent of causing widespread panic. According to LosAngelesTimes, a number of false news stories regarding immigration checkpoints have spread over social media.
While authorities have already diffused the situation, the false news stories still caused some unnecessary panic and confusion. Needless to say, Fessler's call for people to be more rational and objective towards news is more important in these technologically advanced times than it ever was in the past.
