The Relationship of Use of Heuristics and Acceptance of False Information

This study looks at how heuristics, specifically System 1 and System 2 thinking, influence the acceptance of false information. We used a battery of four assessments: the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT), Berlin Numeracy Test (BNT), Base Rate Neglect (BRN), and Gambler’s Fallacy Questionnaire (GFQ). The tests were used to ascertain whether participants predominantly utilized System 1 (intuitive and rapid) or System 2 (analytical and sluggish) heuristics. Subsequently, we employed a recognition test to measure the degree of acceptance of false information, encompassing both accurate, deceptive, and neutral items encompassing true, misleading, and control items. The findings showed that individuals who primarily relied on System 1 heuristics exhibited a greater tendency for accepting false information as compared to those who relied on System 2 heuristics. This finding provides evidence for the idea that relying on intuitive and rapid cognitive processes (System 1) could lead to error in memory retrieval and decision-making, leading to an increased probability of accepting false information. On the other hand, more accurate results and a reduced susceptibility to misleading information were linked to deliberate and analytical thinking (System 2). In addition, our study assessed confidence ratings for each item in the recognition exam. In particular, there were no significant difference in confidence ratings among the System 1 and System 2 heuristics groups, suggesting that all groups showed identical levels of confidence in their responses, regardless of their accuracy. These findings have significant implications for several disciplines, such as forensic psychology, education, and everyday decision-making. Understanding heuristics in memory recall can improve eyewitness testimony, educational critical thinking, and daily misinformation susceptibility. This study emphasizes the vital influence of cognitive processes on memory accuracy and provides practical suggestions for reducing cognitive biases while improving decision-making. In addition, investigating alternative heuristics, memory tests, and neural mechanisms could assist to explain how heuristics affect false information acceptance.