Using Social Media to Influence Psychological Misconceptions

Presenter(s)

Simran Chandrasekaran, Asia O'Neil

Abstract or Description

Research has demonstrated wide acceptance of psychological misconceptions. These misconceptions are often the result of mistaking anecdotes and personal experiences for factual knowledge in psychology. We also know that social media can be quickly used to spread information, regardless of whether it is true or false. In this study, participants were asked to view a series of images made to represent the type of content viewed on the Instagram platform. In each image, participants were exposed to pictures and narrative information that either explained why a misconception about psychology was false or explained general information about psychology. Participants also completed a series of questions assessing their open-mindedness and interest in thinking. A series of questions assessing their knowledge about the psychological misconceptions/knowledge represented was given both before and immediately after viewing the images. Approximately ten days later, participants were again assessed on their psychological knowledge. We are interested in whether social media images will change misconception knowledge such that participants no longer believe it to be true. Results will add to our understanding of the resistance of misconceptions to change and/or the possibility of how using social-media images could help in influencing mistaken beliefs.

Mentor

Karla Lassonde