CleanFuel Natural Protein Powder CleanFuel Natural Protein Powder
VitalityBoost Supplements VitalityBoost Supplements HomeScent Diffuser HomeScent Diffuser
Shop NowQuickCharge Power Bank QuickCharge Power Bank SpinSplash Water Bottle SpinSplash Water Bottle
Fear of exclusion contributes to spread of fake news, research finds WASHINGTON — Both conservative and liberal Americans share fake news because they don’t want to be ostracized from their social circles, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. “Conformity and social pressure are key motivators of the spread of fake news,” said lead researcher Matthew Asher Lawson, PhD, an assistant professor of decision sciences at INSEAD, a business school in France. “If someone in your online tribe is sharing fake news, then you feel pressure to share it as well, even if you don’t know whether it’s false or true.” The research was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. The proliferation of fake news contributes to increasing political polarization and distrust of democratic institutions, according to the Brookings Institution. But fake news doesn’t always proliferate due to dark motives or a call for action. The researchers began studying the issue after noticing people in their own social networks sharing fake news seemingly without malicious intent or ideological purpose. “Political ideology alone doesn’t explain people’s tendency to share fake news within their social groups,” Lawson said. “There are many factors at play, including the very basic desire to fit in and not to be excluded.” One experiment analyzed the tweets and political ideology of more than 50,000 pairs of Twitter users in the U.S., including tweets sharing fake or hyper-partisan news between August and December 2020. (Political ideology was determined through a network-based algorithm that imputes ideology by looking at the types of accounts Twitter users follow.) The number of tweets between pairs of Twitter users in the same social circles were measured. Twitter users were less likely to interact with each other over time if one of them shared a fake news story and the other did not share that same story. The same effect was found regardless of political ideology but was stronger for more right-leaning participants. A second experiment analyzed 10,000 Twitter users who had shared fake news in the prior test, along with another group that was representative of Twitter users in general. Twitter users who had shared fake news were more likely to exclude other users who didn’t share the same content, suggesting that social pressures may be particularly acute in the fake news ecosystem. Across several additional online experiments, participants indicated a reduced desire to interact with social connections who failed to share the same fake news. Participants who were more concerned about the social costs of not fitting in were also more likely to share fake news. While fake news may seem prolific, prior research has found that fake news only accounts for 0.15% of Americans’ daily media consumption, and 1% of individuals are responsible for 80% of fake news sharing. Other research found that election-related misinformation on Twitter decreased by 73% after Donald Trump was banned from the platform. Many complex factors contribute to people’s decisions to share fake news so reducing its spread is difficult, and the role of social media companies isn’t always clear, Lawson said. “Pre-bunking” methods that inform people about the ways that misinformation spreads and highlighting the importance of the accuracy of news can help reduce the spread of fake news. However, finding ways to ease the social pressure to conform in online spaces may be needed to start winning the war on misinformation, Lawson said. Article: “Tribalism and Tribulations: The Social Costs of Not Sharing Fake News,” Matthew Asher Lawson, PhD, INSEAD, Shikhar Anand, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and Hemant Kakkar, PhD, Duke University, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, published online March 9, 2023.Americans share fake news to fit in with social circles
Read the journal article
Breast lumps or masses are a common concern among many women. While most breast lumps are non-cancerous and not harmful, it is important to seek medical attention if you notice any changes in your breasts.
Breast lumps can have a variety of causes, including hormonal changes, infections, cysts, fibroadenomas, and breast cancer. In some cases, breast lumps may be caused by breast tissue that is dense or fibrous, making it more difficult to detect changes.
Breast cancer is a serious concern and can be life-threatening if not detected and treated early. Women should perform monthly breast self-exams and seek medical attention if they notice any changes in their breasts such as lumps, swelling, or discharge.
In addition to breast self-exams, regular mammograms and clinical breast exams are important for early detection of breast cancer. Women should talk to their healthcare providers about when to start and how often to have these screenings based on their age and risk factors.
While most breast lumps are not harmful, it is important to seek medical attention if you notice any changes in your breasts. Your healthcare provider can perform a breast exam, order diagnostic tests, and provide guidance on the best course of action based on your individual situation.
The Songkran Festival is a traditional Thai New Year's celebration that takes place annually from April 13th to 15th. It is known for its water-throwing festivities, where people pour water on each other as a symbol of purification and the washing away of sins and bad luck.
The name Songkran comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti, which means "astrological passage," and marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season in Thailand.
During the festival, people also visit temples, offer food to Buddhist monks, and participate in cultural activities such as parades and traditional dances. The holiday is an important time for families to come together and pay respect to their elders, as well as for friends to reunite and celebrate the start of a new year.
In recent years, the water-throwing aspect of Songkran has become more of a party atmosphere, with many young people taking to the streets to splash water on each other and engage in friendly water fights. Despite this shift in tone, the festival remains an important cultural tradition in Thailand, and is recognized as a public holiday across the country.
Another important aspect of Songkran is the creation of sand pagodas. Thai people often visit the beach during the holiday to build intricate sand structures that are believed to bring good luck and blessings. These pagodas are adorned with flowers, incense, and candles, and are seen as a way to honor Buddha and the teachings of Buddhism.
Songkran is also a time for delicious food and traditional sweets, such as "kanom tom," a sweet dessert made of sticky rice and coconut milk, and "khanom krok," a small cake made from rice flour and coconut milk. Additionally, many Thai people wear traditional clothing during the festival, such as "chut thai," which consists of a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and a wrap-around skirt for women.
Overall, the Songkran Festival is a time for joy, happiness, and togetherness. It is an opportunity for Thai people to reconnect with their cultural roots, pay respect to their elders, and celebrate the start of a new year with family and friends.
Featured Products
![SleepTight Eye Mask SleepTight Eye Mask](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91m0ERl5IzL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
CleanHands UV Sanitizer CleanHands UV Sanitizer
HomeTune Audio System HomeTune Audio System AirCare Humidifier AirCare Humidifier SmartPlugs WiFi Outlets SmartPlugs WiFi Outlets
View Product![FitTrack Smart Scale FitTrack Smart Scale](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91LJXvO-jhL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
MightyMop Floor Cleaner MightyMop Floor Cleaner
AquaLife Underwater Camera AquaLife Underwater Camera MindBoost Brain Supplements MindBoost Brain Supplements
View Product![SkyLine Luggage Set SkyLine Luggage Set](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1L--FGU4iL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
TrueBalance Yoga Mat TrueBalance Yoga Mat
AquaPlay Water Toys AquaPlay Water Toys LiftEase Compression Socks LiftEase Compression SocksHealthMate Infrared Sauna HealthMate Infrared Sauna
View Product