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Introduction
The existence of news breeds misinformation, whether intentional or accidental. The strengthening of information technology leads to the expansion and eradication of the data flows around the individual, which he needs to process. However, it is impossible to consider the phenomenon of disinformation as an exclusively negative one. It performs a number of useful functions for the individual and society. It is necessary to analyze how disinformation affects the individual from a social and psychological point of view.
Psychological Reasons
It should be noted that the information impact is of a psychological nature, it affects a persons behavior through the psyche. It achieves the effect by changing the psychological properties, states and patterns of behavior of the individual. Manipulation is one of the forms of negative information impact on a person (Newman et al. 37). The target of manipulative influence is understood as those mental structures, the change of which ensures the achievement of the desired goal by the manipulator. Such target structures are the consciousness of a person, his picture of the world (Newman et al. 39). The result of the impacts is significant changes in the mental characteristics and states of the addressee.
However, it is necessary to indicate that such processes have not only a negative but also a positive impact on the human psyche. In particular, disinformation embodies and realizes the psychological needs of a person. The fact is that one of the needs of an individual is psycho-emotional calm and stability (Clear 3). Misinformation, the essence of which is to provide a person with data that he obviously wants to see, releases self-confidence and lack of triggers (Newman et al. 50). In addition, people have a certain psychological peculiarity, which consists of the need to see confirmation of their worldview, values and foundations. In other words, the individual needs to feel that he is right and not wrong (Newman et al. 77). Since it has already been written above that disinformation manipulates the picture of the world, that is, it creates or distorts it, it is consistent and reinforces such a legend by further providing data (Newman et al. 87). Thus, due to misinformation, the individual feels right, complete and modern, and therefore falls into psychological balance (Clear 3). However, the psychological reasons for the spread of disinformation are not the only ones.
Social Reasons
The most popular vector for the spread of fake news is social networks. When information is passed from person to person, it not only provides speed but also generates trust. One-sixth of the respondents in one British study admitted that they believe everything that their friends spread on social networks (Newman et al. 31). The same study found that Facebook information is perceived as more reliable than expert content (Newman et al. 43). Thus, individuals have a sense of belonging to their social circle, as well as unanimity (Newman et al. 24). In other words, misinformation is one of the most effective methods of rallying society. In addition to this reason, there is also the nature of the sensationalism of disinformation, its interest and discussion. Things like city council hearings or tax policy debates can have a big impact on life, but they are very boring to watch or read (Reed 2). At the same time, fakes are almost always extremely sensational. One of the tricks of fake news is to take a relatively mundane event and sensationalize it with exaggerated wording and misinformation. This evokes a strong response from society, and the newness becomes discussed. From the point of view of the individual, at such moments, he experiences his actuality, his belonging to the modern world. In other words, by sharing interests and news with other people, a person feels like an actual element of society.
Conclusion
As a result, it should be noted that the phenomenon of disinformation has an increasing influence and relevance in the modern world. It cannot be definitely interpreted positively, however, it is worth noting the positive impact of fakes on the social and psychological component. Thanks to the phenomenon, several urgent and necessary needs of people are realized, which makes them feel more confident and be in emotional balance.
Works Cited
Clear, James. Why Facts Dont Change Our Minds . James Clear, n. d.
Newman, Eryn, Jaffe, Mariela, Scwartz, Norbert, and Greifeneder, Rainer. (Eds.). The Psychology of Fake News. Accepting, Sharing, and Correcting Misinformation. Taylor & Francis, 2020.
Reed, Eric. Why Does Misinformation Spread? Human Behavior Plays a Big Part . Boston Globe, n. d. Web.
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