Navigating Misinformation with Empathy: Misbelief with Dan Ariely
This episode features Dan Ariely, author of ‘Misbelief, what makes rational people believe irrational things’, focusing on the psychology behind misinformation and belief in conspiracy theories.
Ariely discusses how stress, personality traits, and social dynamics contribute to the spread of false beliefs, emphasising the importance of resilience and trust in combating misinformation.
He shares personal experiences, including being targeted by disinformation, and highlights his role in the NBC show ‘The Irrational’ that combines social science with solving crimes. The conversation touches on various psychological concepts, the impact of cognitive biases, and the role of social context in shaping beliefs.
Ariely proposes empathy and understanding over conflict in addressing belief in misinformation and discusses the broader implications of trust erosion in society.
00:00 Unraveling the Web of Misinformation
01:12 Welcome Dan Ariely: Exploring Misbelief
02:15 The Making of ‘The Irrational’: A TV Show Inspired by Real Science
06:13 Embracing Imperfections: The Philosophy of Kintsugi
12:22 The Personal Impact of Misinformation on Dan Ariely
18:39 The Psychological Journey into Misbelief
22:08 Navigating the Flood of Misinformation in the Digital Age
26:42 The Role of Stress in Cultivating Misbeliefs
33:49 Challenging Cognitive Biases and Misbeliefs
40:01 Navigating Societal Divides: The Abortion Debate
40:59 The Power of Uncertainty in Dialogue
41:25 Innovation and the ‘Us vs. Them’ Mentality
42:33 Exploring the Dunning-Kruger Effect
47:15 The Role of Memory in Shaping Beliefs
49:02 Personality Traits and Susceptibility to Misbelief
52:07 Social Dynamics: Ostracism and Its Effects
01:01:38 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance
01:07:13 The Importance of Resilience and Trust
01:15:52 Concluding Thoughts on Misbelief and Social Change
Dan Ariely, Behavioral Economics, Misbelief, Misinformation, Social Media, Conspiracy Theories, Political Affiliation, Psychology, Fake News, Empathy, Cognitive Bias, Trust in Society, Resilience, Stress and Misbelief, Cognitive Dissonance, Shibboleth, Secure Attachment, Dunning-Kruger Effect, Innovation, Identity and Belief, AI and Misinformation
Find Dan at www.DanAriely.com