EOTO 2 Reaction Post- Blog Post #11

 Theories

    In today's class, I learned the effectiveness of theories and how they are used positively or negatively, right or wrong. Group 3 discussed four crucial theories that stuck out to me. Including the Illusory Truth Effect, Confirmation Bias, Gatekeeping, and the Overton Window. These are all powerful concepts related to how we process information, particularly in media and politics. 

Illusory Truth Effect

    This theory makes people believe false and repeated statements are true. Repetition is associated with truth, so even if a statement is false but is repeated, someone will perceive it as true. Social media will spread this effect to reach a greater reach of audience. Also, easy-to-read fonts are associated with truth. 

    Some examples of illusory truths include the Iraq WMD Myth, a false claim that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. The birth conspiracy of the false idea that Obama was not born in the U.S. and think him becoming president should have been illegal. As well as misinformation regarding vaccines during the pandemic is portrayed as an illusory truth effect.

Confirmation Bias

    Confirmation Bias is the tendency to process information by looking for or interpreting information that aligns with your existing beliefs. With this theory, this is where a lot of fake news and misinformation fall under. It is hard to get the full picture of an issue because of the bias. It is normal to make friends with people who have the same beliefs and morals as we do. Some specific types include biased attention, which confirms our views. Biased Interpretation, which interprets information that already confirms our beliefs. And, biased memory means that we remember details that support our existing views because they are familiar to us. 

Gatekeeping

    Gatekeeping is the activity of controlling and limiting the general access to something, and was established in 1943. It refers to the process by which information is filtered before it reaches the general public. The media chooses certain events or topics that are newsworthy, and they filter the information. It can also shape perceptions. Agenda setting suggests that the media shapes the political debate, choosing which topic should be featured. This was established in 1968. The media influences the public's perception of what issues are important or not. 

Overton Window

    This theory was made by Joseph Overton (Overton Window), and it deems governmental policies as acceptable or unacceptable to the population at that specific time. It states that an idea falls within an acceptability range. It helps politicians make decisions in policies they support or don't and it is a guide for politicians to embrace ideas.