You have studied the findings of several cognitive science experts on how our minds take in, screen out and reformulate information, sometimes with erroneous results. Now you get to apply those findings to a current topic. The fact is that all of us get caught up in misinformation and fallacious thinking, sometimes to the point where we cannot free ourselves. Can our cognitive experts help us? Let’s find out! Welcome to your last project!
You will investigate and analyze one type of widespread misinformation or fallacious thinking that is currently impacting our health as individuals or as a country, or one platform by which such misinformation spreads.
To investigate: What is climate change denialism and how is this denialism manifested today? What energizes and motivates those who question or reject the scientific consensus on global warming? What does and does not work to convince climate change deniers to consider environmental solutions? What insights do our cognitive experts have to offer?
To investigate: What is the track record of your favorite social media platform when it comes to false content? What makes social media such an easy vector for misinformation and disinformation? What human vulnerabilities make us susceptible to false news on popular platforms like TicToc? How do our cognitive experts explain these problems and vulnerabilities, and what solutions do they offer?
To investigate: What, by definition, are conspiracy theories? What are examples of conspiracy theories currently in circulation and why have they gained so much popularity? Examine in depth the conspiratorial thinking surrounding a specific current topic or figure, such as the 2020 presidential election, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, FEMA, Taylor Swift, Anthony Fauci, Haitian immigrants in Ohio, vaccines, etc. How would our cognitive experts explain the appeal of conspiracy theories like this, and how would they advise that we counter their impact?
After outlining the kinds of misinformation or fallacious thinking that have been associated with your topic, you will create a conversation (that is, a synthesis) that brings together several authors from Unit 4 and, if you wish, from the course as a whole. That conversation will begin with a summary of the facts pertaining to your topic, will proceed to describe and analyze the various forms of cognitive bias and falsehoods that have been evident in the public discourse on this topic, and will conclude with some research-based suggestions for a more constructive way forward.
Draw on at least two of these to show how recent research on cognition speaks to your topic.
Draw on at least two articles from your chosen content area.
Consult at least one article you locate independently through the Sacramento City College Library.
Although your analysis will be entirely research-based, you are welcome to illustrate your points with personal stories, if appropriate. (For an example, see the Adam Grant piece, above.) Perhaps you and your best friend have opposing views on climate change, or perhaps you are experiencing a conflict with relative who has been drawn into some conspiracy theories. While you think your loved one has fallen victim to misinformation, they may think you have blinders on. Can you and your loved one find common ground and spark new understanding in one another?
There are lots of ways to set up this paper. Here is one approach to consider:
Introduce and explain the basic facts about your topic in 5-6 sentences, summarizing information from reputable sources in a concise, carefully sequenced manner, making sure one idea connects logically to the next. For example, if your paper is on climate science denialism, your introduction should present the facts on what climate change is, what causes it, and how it is impacting our world.
End the paragraph with a thesis statement or thesis question indicating the specific problem your paper will be tackling. For example, if you are writing about climate change denialism, you will want to ask where anti-science beliefs about global warming come from and how these should be addressed.
Describe and analyze the types of misinformation and fallacious thinking regarding your topic
Using the cognitive psychology sources from this unit (and sources from earlier units if you wish), present the most constructive ways to address these problems
Summarize the core insights of the paper and leave the reader with a final thought. Do not introduce new sources in the conclusion.
You will need a complete and accurately formatted works cited list. Using the Citation tool in Google docs, start building your MLA-style works cited list early in the drafting process. You will be glad to have captured all of your sources when you are up against the submission deadline; you can always go back and delete sources you end up not using