Experiment shows repetition boosts belief in climate-skeptical claims, even among climate science endorsers

[Jim__]

This is bad news since many climate-science skeptics have huge megaphones. The full paper is open source.

From phys.org

Estimated mean truth ratings across repetition (repeated, non-repeated) and claim type (science-aligning, skeptic-aligning) in Experiment 1. Note. Error bars show 95% CI. Credit: Jiang et al. 2024, PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Climate science supporters rated climate-skeptical statements as "truer" after just a single repetition, according to a study published August 7, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE led by Mary Jiang from The Australian National University, Australia, and coauthored by Norbert Schwarz from the University of Southern California, U.S., and colleagues.

The results held true even for the strongest climate science supporters surveyed.

Amidst the influx of content that a person consumes each day, the principle of motivated cognition suggests they are likelier to find truth in the statements that mirror their own beliefs. However, a second phenomenon, the illusory truth effect, suggests that just one repeated exposure to an idea—regardless of what it is—can elevate its perceived validity.

Schwarz and colleagues examined these ideas in the arena of climate science, questioning how self-identified climate science supporters might react when repeatedly exposed to climate-skeptical claims. Would repetition have an effect despite the conviction of their own beliefs?

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[walkingman]

1. Repetition correlates truth -

the illusion of truth, is the tendency to believe false information is true after repeated exposure to it. This can happen even when people initially know the information is false.

Lying is an art. It has gotten a bad rap. In fact, it is among the most sophisticated accomplishments of the human mind.

And people wonder how we got so fucked up?? ☮

[caraher]

2. This is also why debunking is a waste of time

Even merely repeating a claim before debunking it makes it feel "truthier"

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. Well, sure... See "Gaslighting" for example

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/gaslighting

Gaslighting

Gaslighting is an insidious form of manipulation and psychological control. Victims of gaslighting are deliberately and systematically fed false information that leads them to question what they know to be true, often about themselves. They may end up doubting their memory, their perception, and even their sanity. Over time, a gaslighter’s manipulations can grow more complex and potent, making it increasingly difficult for the victim to see the truth.

…

The second time you hear the lie reinforces the first time you hear it. If you hear it enough times, you begin to think it must be true.