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Women in chemistry: Q&A with Professor Carolina Horta Andrade
Why did you choose to be a scientist? I chose to become a scientist because of a gradual realization of my passion for research and…
Psychological booster shots targeting memory increase long-term resistance against misinformation
An increasing number of real-world interventions aim to preemptively protect or inoculate people against misinformation. Inoculation research has demonstrated positive effects on misinformation resilience when measured immediately after treatment via messages, games, or videos. However, very little is currently known about their long-term effectiveness and the mechanisms by which such treatment effects decay over time. We start by proposing three possible models on the mechanisms driving resistance to misinformation. We then report five pre-registered longitudinal experiments (Ntotal = 11,759) that investigate the effectiveness of psychological inoculation interventions over time as well as their underlying mechanisms. We find that text-based and video-based inoculation interventions can remain effective for one month—whereas game-based interventions appear to decay more rapidly—and that memory-enhancing booster interventions can enhance the diminishing effects of counter-misinformation interventions. Finally, we propose an integrated memory-motivation model, concluding that misinformation researchers would benefit from integrating knowledge from the cognitive science of memory to design better psychological interventions that can counter misinformation durably over time and at-scale.
Locked in echoes: unveiling the dynamics of social media echo chambers and Hindu radicalization targeting Muslim youth in Delhi
The concept of a social media echo chamber is when someone is exposed to biased and personal media that ignores diverse viewpoints and opposing viewpoints. There are many underlying causes for the radicalization of Hindu youth in Delhi, and the problem is complex. An in-depth examination of Hindu nationalism, a political ideology that promotes the creation of a Hindu Rashtra predominantly focused on the supremacy of the upper caste, especially Brahmin principles, is imperative within the realm of development studies. The repercussions of the radicalization of Hindu youth in Delhi are particularly significant as a result of the aggressive actions against Muslims that have resulted from this ideology, which have induced a climate of dread and disquiet. Extremist organizations use echo chambers as a propaganda tool to indoctrinate youth. These virtual worlds reinforce pre-existing convictions by providing information that supports their ideology. This research investigates the subtleties of social media echo chambers to evaluate the radicalization of Hindus and its repercussions on the experiences of Muslim youth in Delhi. The goal of this study is to pinpoint the underlying mechanisms by which social media echo chambers facilitate the radicalization of Hindus and the targeting of Muslim youth.
A manifesto for a globally diverse, equitable, and inclusive open science
The field of psychology has rapidly transformed its open science practices in recent years. Yet there has been limited progress in integrating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. In this Perspective, we raise the spectre of Questionable Generalisability Practices and the issue of MASKing (Making Assumptions based on Skewed Knowledge), calling for more responsible practices in generalising study findings and co-authorship to promote global equity in knowledge production. To drive change, researchers must target all four key components of the research process: design, reporting, generalisation, and evaluation. Additionally, macro-level geopolitical factors must be considered to move towards a robust behavioural science that is truly inclusive, representing the voices and experiences of the majority world (i.e., low-and-middle-income countries).
Event triggers and opinion leaders shape climate change discourse on Weibo
Understanding how real-world events and opinion leaders shape climate change discussions is vital for improving communication and policy formulation to meet global carbon mitigation goals. This study analyzed 5.3 million original posts from Weibo (2012–2022), China’s largest social media platform, to examine climate change discourse. We found five event types triggering 48 discussion peaks, including online activities, international conferences, extreme weather, domestic policies, and international news. Posts generally conveyed positive attitudes, though sentiment decreased during haze pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. Network analysis revealed seven opinion leader groups with distinct strategies: official media and institutions emphasized political will, global initiatives, and socio-economic implications, while universities and grassroots individuals focused on scientific reality and personal actions. Celebrities and unofficial accounts often highlighted geopolitical topics, especially China-US relations. We suggest reducing fragmented echo chambers and fostering personal connections through digital media platforms to enhance public awareness.
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