The medical evidence is clear: the global health threat from coronavirus is not an elaborate hoax. Bill Gates did not create the coronavirus to sell more vaccines. Essential oils are not effective in protecting you from coronavirus.
But those facts haven’t stopped contrary claims from spreading both on and offline.
No matter the topic, people often hear conflicting information and must decide which sources to trust. The Internet and fast-paced news environment mean that information travels quickly, leaving little time for fact-checking.
As an interest in scientific communication and controversies, I study how scientific misinformation spreads and how to correct it.
I’ve been very busy lately. Whether we’re talking about coronavirus, climate change, vaccines, or something else, misinformation abounds. Maybe you’ve shared something on Facebook that turned out to be fake or retweeted something before verifying the source. This can happen to anyone.
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It is also common to encounter people who are misinformed but do not know it yet. It’s one thing to double-check your own information, but what’s the best way to talk to someone else about what you believe is true, but what isn’t true?
Is it worth debating?
First, consider the context of the situation. Is there enough time to have a conversation? Do they seem interested and open to discussion? Do you have a personal connection with them where they value your opinion?
Assessing the situation can help you decide if you want to start a conversation to correct your misinformation. Sometimes we interact with people who are closed-minded and unwilling to listen. It’s okay not to debate with them.
In interpersonal interactions, the strength of the relationship can help correct misinformation. For example, it may be easier to correct misinformation in a family member or partner because they already know that you care for them and are interested in their well-being.
Don’t be condescending
One approach is to engage in a back-and-forth discussion about the topic. This is often called a dialogue approach to communication.
That means you care about the person behind the opinion, even when you disagree. It is important not to enter into conversations with a condescending attitude. For example, when speaking to climate change skeptics, the attitude the speaker has toward an audience affects the success of the interaction and can lead to conversations ending before they begin.
Instead of treating the conversation as a corrective reading, treat the other person as an equal partner in the discussion. One way to create that common bond is to recognize the shared difficulties of locating accurate information. Saying that there is a lot of information circulating can help someone feel comfortable changing their mind and accepting new information, rather than resisting and sticking to their previous beliefs to avoid admitting that they were wrong.
Part of creating dialogue is asking questions. For example, if someone says they heard that the coronavirus was all a hoax, you might ask, “That’s not something I’ve heard before, what was the source of that?” By being interested in their opinion and not immediately rejecting it, you open the door to conversation about the information and can involve them in your evaluation.
An opportunity to exchange information
Another strategy is to introduce the person to new sources. In my book, I talk about a conversation I had with a climate skeptic who didn’t believe scientists had reached a 97% consensus on the existence of climate change. They dismissed this well-established number by referring to non-scientific sources and blog posts. Instead of rejecting their resources, I offered to exchange with them. For every one of their sources I read, they would read one of mine.
The misinformation people are receiving is likely not coming from a credible source, so you can propose an alternative. For example, you could offer to send them an article from the Centers for Disease Control with medical and health information, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for environmental information, or the debunking site Snopes to compare information. If someone you’re talking to is open to learning more, it encourages that continued curiosity.
Sometimes it is difficult, inconvenient or uncomfortable to engage someone who is misinformed. But I firmly believe that opening ourselves up to have these conversations can help correct misinformation. To ensure that society can make the best decisions on important issues, share accurate information and combat the spread of misinformation.
Author: – Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Article published in The Conversation and translated for re-publication in .