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Learning about informal fallacies and the detection of fake news: An experimental intervention

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  • Timon M J Hruschka
  • Markus Appel

Abstract

The philosophical concept of informal fallacies–arguments that fail to provide sufficient support for a claim–is introduced and connected to the topic of fake news detection. We assumed that the ability to identify informal fallacies can be trained and that this ability enables individuals to better distinguish between fake news and real news. We tested these assumptions in a two-group between-participants experiment (N = 116). The two groups participated in a 30-minute-long text-based learning intervention: either about informal fallacies or about fake news. Learning about informal fallacies enhanced participants’ ability to identify fallacious arguments one week later. Furthermore, the ability to identify fallacious arguments was associated with a better discernment between real news and fake news. Participants in the informal fallacy intervention group and the fake news intervention group performed equally well on the news discernment task. The contribution of (identifying) informal fallacies for research and practice is discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Timon M J Hruschka & Markus Appel, 2023. "Learning about informal fallacies and the detection of fake news: An experimental intervention," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(3), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0283238
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lucie Vrbová & Kateřina Jiřinová & Karel Helman & Hana Lorencová, 2021. "Do informal reasoning fallacies really shape decisions? Experimental evidence," Rationality and Society, , vol. 33(4), pages 448-479, November.
    2. Jon Roozenbeek & Sander Linden, 2019. "Fake news game confers psychological resistance against online misinformation," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Andrea Moscadelli & Giuseppe Albora & Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte & Duccio Giorgetti & Michele Innocenzio & Sonia Paoli & Chiara Lorini & Paolo Bonanni & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2020. "Fake News and Covid-19 in Italy: Results of a Quantitative Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-13, August.
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