Think of my head: how to resist media manipulation

"can not trust anyone, not even to himself" - the joke has long ceased to be funny. Now and yourself to believe you can not in every case, because we can very easily make mistakes and go on about someone's opinion of others.

Once all the received news and the latest information only through television and newspapers. They do not really trust, because everybody understands: the majority of print media that they were told the owners of certain influential structures. So that any information had filtered recheck. In the Soviet Union, people are accustomed to distrust any new say things - this, of course, there were more disadvantages than advantages, however, was opposed to manipulate it successfully. As soon as there was a public internet - everything went ashes, and critical thinking became a huge rarity. Why? Because the Internet it seems that there are a thousand different opinions, and you form your own based on them. In fact, it turns out differently: very few people able to find among the thousands of opinions really right, so most often selected the most convincing. And if online media will want to manipulate us in some particular thing, it is not the case easier.

There were many stories, when someone ran in Internet loud "duck", that the costs of all communication channels and even crawled in newspapers and television? For example, the rumors about the introduction in Russia of new money, which is supported by non-existent in reality models of banknotes, or news about the closure of all the restaurants, "McDonald's". If the news can be easily fabricated entirely from the beginning to the end, and that is easier to manipulate - just add a drop of falsehood (or have missed) in a truthful message to form the reader or viewer a definite opinion. Even bloggers who are personal journals and diaries, can use a variety of techniques.

manipulation techniques

Let's not talk about such techniques as concealment of information - the Internet now all have eyes and hands to light any event or announce any opinion, so for now, this technique can not be used practically.

Shifting attention

Rather than talk about some urgent problem, the author of the text or video gradually the conversation to another topic. Typically, the major problem in this case is fed deliberately dry, and that which serves to divert as much as possible emotionally to catch more.

Simplification

About the complex problem stated deliberately simplified to make it seem as if its solution is just as simple. Very often, the news served as if they did not tell an adult and children.

The emotional storm

Time impartial news and information for a long time has come, as viewers and readers always choose emotions. It's really interesting. However, here lies "pitfall" - the stronger the emotion, fueled by the media, the more a person reacts violently and the less sane he could think. So, on a wave of emotion he can impress the wrong conclusions.

The principle of the first stage

The human psyche is set up so that he unconsciously puts the first he had received information on the subject as the truth, even if doubt it. Everything else he simply compares with this sample to confirm or refute it. So the faster information flows, the greater the chance that she will believe. The media are well aware.

The opinion of the witnesses

False information to check is difficult, especially if there are alleged "witnesses" who allegedly saw this or that event. Stories of ordinary people, we always implicitly believe more than the official sources, although ask a blogger or a private person to write a story - simple.

False analogy

Logic - the science is difficult, and it is easy to get lost in. A plurality of logical traps may be used for fraud and deception, but false analogy - often. What is it easiest to explain with an example. For example, an athlete running for the state authorities and the media has been pushing the fact that he has achieved great success in the sport, so the reach and success in management. Whether this is true, if you think about it? Of course not, but it sounds beautiful.

Repetition

The more you repeat the same thing, the more it seems that the way it is. Especially if it is not a repetition of only one channel the media, but on several. In the future, enough to repeat something like definitely a fait accompli, and then faith in the truthfulness of the information will become even stronger.

A half

If enough of the truth to dissolve a fair bit of a lie, the whole message will be perceived as truthful. If these details are also difficult to verify, then the deception will be completely successful.

confrontation Methods

The only way to resist manipulation - to develop critical thinking, learn how to analyze and gather information. You can even do a more radical and go to a desert island, but it is much less interesting.

Look for an alternative view

Even if you feel that what you have learned, looks 100% convincingly - take the time to look for other options. Most likely, they will also be persuasive. And not only "contrary" opinion, but also some intermediate.

Develop curiosity

The more curious you are, the easier it will be to notice some details, to seek new information and compare versions. How to develop it - a separate issue. To do this, you need to develop creative flair and instill a love of reading. The more you read - books, articles, blogs - the easier it will be to calculate and recognize the truth lies. And ask a lot of questions! As the saying goes, a good question is often already included in the answer.

to study psychology and advertising

If it does not profile your topic, not go away and study them the whole story, and the limit to popular sources. Both of these sciences to help understand exactly what techniques are used to introduce you astray.

Do not make yourself an idol

Biblical commandment has to be very helpful. Even if a person is very authoritative, convincing, or at all your friend who always gives good advice, remember that it could still be mistaken or lying.

Do not give in to emotions

If you start to emotionally react to something, then take rest and relax. The emotional approach is useful for some things, but not for the analysis of information. Try to look at the situation to pull away, not to hang labels on people and not to talk too fervently. It is possible that you will see something that previously did not pay attention. If you have prejudices, phobias or intolerance, then with questions on these topics work with tiny steps, not allowing himself to inflame.

Think two steps ahead

And not only forward, but also to the sides. What led to such a situation, it is beneficial to someone, what's next? Sometimes it is enough to look at other news, topics and information, which at first glance is not associated with this, to see new faces and the true sequence of events.

Train your brain and memory

The more you remember, and you know, the freer you are swimming in a sea of ​​information. With this simple. Another well to the ability to analyze information, but it is much more difficult to develop. Here it should be specially trained to logical problems.