Why We Believe Lies: Groupthink, Cognitive Bias, and the Spread of Political Misinformation

Why We Believe Lies: Groupthink, Cognitive Bias, and the Spread of Political Misinformation with Stephan Lewandowsky, PhD

The pervasive nature of social media can undermine the democratic process by facilitating the widespread dissemination of political misinformation and a decline in critical thinking. This phenomenon can be exacerbated by groupthink, where individuals conform to the prevailing opinions of their social circles, and various forms of cognitive bias that lead people to favor information confirming their existing beliefs, even in the absence of evidence.

To better understand the power of groupthink and cognitive bias, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with cognitive scientist and Cognitive Immunity Research Collaborative (CIRCE) researcher Dr. Stephan Lewandowsky.

Stephan shares his research on how alternative facts gain acceptance, how technology can undermine the democratic process, and tips on how to discern truth from fiction when consuming media.

Original Air Date Wednesday, July 23 2025

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Meet Our Guest:

Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, PhD, is a cognitive scientist at the University of Bristol, UK. His research focuses on human memory, decision-making, and the influence of misinformation on public beliefs and behaviors. Stephan’s work primarily explores how false information spreads, why people believe in conspiracy theories, and how to effectively debunk misinformation.

Professor Lewandowsky has published hundreds of scholarly articles, chapters, and books and is often cited for his subject matter expertise. Journals like Nature Human Behaviour, Nature Communications, and Psychological Review regularly publish his research.

Stephan Lewandowsky, PhD—Why We Believe Lies:

  • How technology influences democracy. {2:52}
  • How technology and social media can undermine the democratic process. {5:48}
  • he architecture of honesty and how political misinformation becomes widely adopted. {7:47}
  • Democracy crumbles when beliefs take precedence over evidence. {18:46}
  • Tips for building resilience against political misinformation. {23:41}

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Shareables:

“What we think and what we feel are often disconnected from fact." @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “At the moment you have that sort of community support and the false perception of a consensus, your opinion becomes entrenched and it becomes very difficult to update, and it becomes very difficult for you to revise your belief.”… Share on X “Democracy, to function, relies on a common knowledge base.” Stephan Lewandowsky PhD on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “When you take beliefs ahead of evidence, that is when you run into a problem in politics. That is when democracy is crumbling.” Stephan Lewandowsky PhD on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

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