Glossary

Attacking the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself.

A set of rules that platforms use to decide what content to show you, often optimizing for engagement.

Over-relying on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.

Using an authority figure's opinion as evidence, even when they're not an expert on that topic.

Organized campaigns that simulate grassroots movements, making manufactured opinions appear organic and popular.

Judging probability based on how easily examples come to mind, rather than actual statistics.

The tendency to adopt beliefs or behaviors because many others do. 'If everyone believes it, it must be true.'

The tendency to accept vague, general personality descriptions as uniquely applicable to ourselves.

Automated social media accounts that can spread content at scale, often used to amplify misinformation.

Sensational headlines designed to attract clicks, often exaggerating or misrepresenting the actual content.

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs.

Just because two things happen together doesn't mean one causes the other. There may be no connection at all.

Correcting false information after it has spread. Less effective than prebunking because first impressions persist.

AI-generated media (video, audio, images) that makes people appear to say or do things they never did.

False information deliberately created and spread to deceive people. The creator knows it's false.

When people with limited knowledge overestimate their expertise, while experts underestimate theirs.

An environment where people only encounter opinions similar to their own, reinforcing existing beliefs.

The process of verifying claims by consulting reliable sources, checking evidence, and assessing context.

Fabricated stories designed to look like legitimate news. Often created for profit or political influence.

Presenting only two options when more exist. 'You're either with us or against us.'

Algorithmic personalization that shows users content they're likely to agree with, limiting exposure to diverse views.

The more we're exposed to information, the more likely we are to believe it's true, regardless of its accuracy.

Opening new tabs to verify a source's credibility before reading their content in depth.

An error in reasoning that undermines the logic of an argument. May sound convincing but doesn't prove the point.

True information shared with intent to cause harm, often by taking it out of context or revealing private information.

False or inaccurate information spread without intent to deceive. The person sharing it believes it to be true.

Preventive technique that exposes people to manipulation tactics before they encounter misinformation, building resistance.

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Using tools to find the original source and context of an image by searching with the image itself.

Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, Trace claims to original context. A quick verification technique.

Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack, rather than addressing their actual position.

Focusing on successes while overlooking failures, leading to false conclusions about what causes success.

Someone who deliberately posts inflammatory content to provoke reactions and derail conversations.