Post-truth And Fake News, What Do You Really Know About This?
Post-truth is in the wind these days. This little word is used from time to time, although its meaning may never have been fully explained. But do not worry, we are here to help you understand what it’s all about. Post-truth and false news are a deliberate distortion of the truth. Post-truth is, in other words, a manipulation of thoughts and feelings where the goal is to influence public opinions and people’s attitudes.
Post-truth refers to the use of emotions to make people change their minds and at the same time hide facts. It is in the world of politics that the use of post-truth has received the most attention. As a result, concepts such as “populist discourse” or “false news” – both of which are post-truth – have emerged. A little later in the article we will explain these concepts and the psychological keys that can help us understand them.
The use of post-truth and fake news
As we have already mentioned, you can find traces of post-truth in many speeches. Many politicians have used this phenomenon to gain people’s support. One of the most widely used resources is populist speech. These speeches excite the masses because they promise impossible things. They promise politics “by and for the people” and simple solutions to all their problems.
At the same time, we are experiencing a strong tendency of “fake news”. This happens because people take advantage of social networks and the internet. False news simply means news that is false, also called, rumors, which are deliberately used in campaigns to misinform. We are bombarded with information and it can be difficult to verify whether something is true or not. The scientific term for this is infoxication .
Why is post-truth so appealing?
Why is post-truth so appealing? And how do these speeches and news articles manage to convince us to believe them? In general, the main reason why post-truth is so attractive is the narrative itself. These speeches and articles have many common features that increase our attraction to them. Two of these traits are that they are simple and seem sensible. They spread simple explanations that we understand and that seem reasonable.
Post-truth is based on dichotomies such as “everything is either white or black” and “if you are not with us then you are against us”. Post-truth also promotes a very hopeful future. These traits make post-truth attractive, especially to certain people, people who often feel confused, disoriented and insecure. This makes people vulnerable and gives them a greater need for security. In addition, these people often feel threatened, humiliated and insignificant. This means that they often have an intense desire to feel important.
Key psychological concepts for understanding post-truth and false news
As we have previously explained, there are two main psychological factors that make us more vulnerable to being influenced by post-truth and false news. These are the needs for security and the motivation to look for a source to feel important. Both factors describe the mentality of the “losers of globalization” who feel left out in a rapidly changing world where they are unable to find their place.
People with these traits tend to feel disoriented and confused. Their way of doing things no longer works. Technology has made their skills redundant which has led to job losses and opportunities. They feel humiliated and underestimated. In their desperation, they seize on the post-truth narrative, which dispels their uncertainties and promises to make them winners again. The promise that something or someone will solve all their problems, as well as the prospect of a more hopeful and secure world, makes them quickly accept these post-truths.
How we can expose fake news
Although the internet has increased the number of fake news, it has also provided and the resources to recognize them. There are specialized websites (like fakt.no) where we can learn how to distinguish between real and fake news. They often recommend checking the name of news stories (many fake news have no author) and verifying that the same news story can be found in other news channels. One should also try to identify whether the news items are presented with a clear ideological profile, or whether it presents different perspectives. To avoid being fooled by fake news, you need to develop your own ability to think critically.
