Truth bias: The dangers of uncritically taking information at face value
We tend to assume that others are telling the truth unless we have reason to doubt them.
Have you ever liked or shared a story on social media that turned out to be completely false?
Do you know any people who have fallen for phishing, investment fraud or romance scams?
Do you think you are immune to misinformation and fake news? Why or why not?
✳️✳️✳️
Truth bias is our tendency to assume that others are telling the truth unless we have reason to doubt them.
We tend to assume that others are telling the truth. This tendency acts as a social standard that allows us to function efficiently and enables the smooth functioning of society. Without this inherent trust, we would have to invest an inordinate amount of time verifying information provided by others. Furthermore, relationships with friends and business associates would inevitably be strained if their honesty were constantly doubted. Therefore, as social beings, we generally believe others unless we have reason not to believe their information. This usually serves us well because people are usually honest.
Truth-default theory
By default, our mind initially labels all incoming new information as true. This concept is often called ‘truth-default theory’ or ‘truth-default hypothesis.’ This default assumption of truthfulness is thought to be a cognitive shortcut that helps us efficiently navigate the vast amount of information we encounter every day. It's more efficient for our mind to initially accept information as true rather than to scrutinise and evaluate each piece of information immediately upon receipt.
We usually continue to label information as true when we trust the source (e.g., friends or family members), when the information fits our existing beliefs (confirmation bias), or when we are too preoccupied with other matters to critically evaluate the information. In some cases, even a brief moment of reflection can reveal that what we have accepted as true is not actually true.
However, when we are sceptical for a specific reason, we tend to evaluate the information and we might relabel it from true to false. This scepticism can arise when we doubt the credibility or motives of the source, perhaps due to past deception or perceived conflicts of interest, such as in advertising or political campaigns. Furthermore, if the information contradicts our beliefs, confirmation bias can lead us to question its validity. This scepticism can prompt us to use critical thinking processes such as analysis and evaluation to identify inconsistencies or deficiencies in the information.
Possible adverse effects of truth bias
Truth bias can have significant negative consequences. While this mental shortcut is efficient, it often leads individuals to uncritically accept information that is untrue, leaving them vulnerable to scams, deception, manipulation, and misleading political propaganda. Furthermore, the unchecked acceptance of incorrect information can lead to poor decision-making.
👉 Truth bias can lead people to accept and spread misinformation or fake news. In 2016, the Pizzagate conspiracy theory falsely claimed that prominent figures were sexually exploiting children in the basement of a Washington, D.C. pizzeria. In the early 2000s, there was a widespread belief that magnetic bracelets could relieve pain and increase energy, despite a lack of scientific evidence. Misinformation claiming that extensively tested vaccines cause autism has spread widely. The social proof principle also comes into play here, as people are more likely to believe information that appears to be accepted by others.
👉 Governments can be a source of misinformation or fake news. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government was criticised for underreporting the severity and spread of the virus, which contributed to global misinformation. During the pandemic, many authorities claimed that COVID vaccinations completely stopped the transmission of the virus, which later turned out to be untrue when breakthrough infections occurred. During the 2003 Iraq War, the US government spread claims that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, which were later proven to be unfounded. The authority principle also plays a role here, as people are more likely to believe information that is endorsed by authoritative figures and institutions.
👉 Individuals with high a truth bias may be more susceptible to scams and fraud. For example, if they receive an email claiming to have won a lottery or requesting verification of their bank account information, they may trust the authenticity of the message and reveal personal information or transfer money. This gullibility exposes them to financial losses and the risk of identity theft. Likewise, in online romantic relationships, they may believe a made-up emergency scenario and send money to a scammer.
👉 Accepting medical advice without critical evaluation can have serious health consequences. For example, individuals may place unwavering trust in unverified health claims from influencers or alternative medicine practitioners. As a result, they may delay or completely reject effective treatments for serious medical conditions. Furthermore, embracing misinformation about the safety of extensively tested vaccines can lead to vaccine hesitancy, which can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases.
👉 Unfortunately, the staff of national health services cannot always be trusted. The UK National Health Service (NHS) infected tens of thousands of vulnerable patients with HIV and hepatitis through contaminated blood products during the 1970s and early 1990s. The NHS imported blood clotting products from the US, where manufacturers paid high-risk blood donors, including prisoners and drug users. Despite the known risks associated with contaminated blood, the NHS failed to take appropriate action and often administered transfusions that were not really necessarily. Furthermore, the NHS attempted to cover up its failures by giving patients and the public false assurances that patients had received the best available treatment. As a result of this treatment scandal, thousands of people have died, and this number continues to increase every week.
These examples highlight the dangers of accepting information uncritically and underscore the importance of scepticism in protecting oneself from the detrimental effects of the truth bias.
How to reduce the adverse impact of truth bias
Protecting ourselves from the negative consequences of biases can be tiresome and impractical, but it can be worth it when the stakes are high. Since it's impossible to question everything, it's essential to identify the moments that truly matter.
⚒️ Become aware of truth bias
Becoming aware of the potential adverse influence of truth bias is the first step in reducing its impact.
When making a decision with significant emotional or financial stakes, take a step back to assess whether truth bias may be influencing your judgement. Ask yourself questions such as:
🤔 What factual evidence supports this information? Critically evaluate the basis of the information and ensure it is supported by credible evidence rather than assumptions or hearsay.
🤔 Is the source of this information credible and reliable? Assess the reliability of the source to reduce the chance of accepting information from questionable or biased entities.
🤔 Have I verified this information from multiple independent sources? Make sure the information is checked and validated from other reputable sources, which will reduce the chance of being misled by a single source.
🤔 Are there inconsistencies or logical flaws in this information? Identify any contradictions or logical errors in the information that may indicate falsehoods.
🤔 Is this information too good (or too bad) to be true? Maintain a healthy scepticism toward information that seems overly sensational or extreme.
If you become aware that the influence of truth bias can have negative consequences for yourself or others, take steps to mitigate its effects.
⚒️ Cultivate critical thinking and scepticism
The best way to mitigate the negative effects of truth bias is to cultivate critical thinking and scepticism.
Scepticism involves taking a questioning attitude and not accepting information at face value, especially if it seems too convenient or fits your preconceptions too well. It’s not about distrust of everything or cynicism, but about a healthy degree of doubt about the truth of information and the willingness to investigate further if deemed required.
To practice critical thinking, ask probing questions about the source, evidence, and logic behind information. For example, consider who is providing the information and what their possible motivations might be. Is the source reputable and highly regarded in its field? Evaluate the evidence by looking for reliable data, high-quality studies, or expert opinions that support the claims made. Compare multiple reputable sources to verify the accuracy and consistency of the information, and to ensure it is not an isolated or biased viewpoint.
Be aware of confirmation bias. This is your tendency to favour information that supports your existing beliefs while ignoring conflicting evidence. Recognising this bias can prompt you to seek out alternative perspectives and evidence, even if it challenges your preconceived beliefs.
Cultivating a habit of critical thinking and scepticism can help you make more informed and reliable decisions.
🎉👏🎈
We tend to assume that others are telling the truth unless we have reason to doubt them. This usually serves us well because people are usually honest. But it can lead us to uncritically accept false information, leaving us vulnerable to scams, deception, manipulation, and misleading political propaganda. Cultivating critical thinking and scepticism can help us mitigate the negative consequences of truth bias.
References
How to Spot a Scam, Hidden Brain, by Shankar Vedantam, featuring Daniel Simons
Truth Bias Can Hide Deception, Psychology Today, by Jack Schafer Ph.D.
My blogposts about biases and heuristics are available here:
https://www.a3lifedesign.com/blog-english/category/Biases
