Hey people!! I hope everything is going good and smoothly. Misinformation, addictions, and cults all seem to have one thing in common: a person’s “vulnerability variables” can make them more vulnerable to the appeal. Those with a history of anxiety or despair are more vulnerable in both addiction and cults. We will discuss about 5 Reasons Behind Obsession With Misinformation.
Flattery and groupthink take advantage of the ego and its weaknesses. Many new cult members are seeking psychological respite from previous addictions or unfavourable family dynamics, and discover that their new cult setting provides psychological relief, at least initially.
5 Reasons Behind Obsession With Misinformation
Most cult victims in the study , well-educated, had long-term spouses, had a history of anxiety, according to the report. The study’s findings show the consequences of joining a cult.
1. Fear Communication
The goal is to change behaviour by sharing frightening knowledge.
The issue is that fear dissipates rapidly, as we all know. Even if such communication causes a personto have an epiphany, this does not guarantee the epiphany will follow by action. Sadly, fear communication hasn’t prove to generate durable change in other addictions and related behaviours, such as substance misuse and drinking and driving. Returning to COVID, Dr. Brewer points out that “fear communication does not improve vaccination uptake” and that it’s “unlikely to do any better at breaking people’s addiction to misinformation.”
2. Have another obsession
Perhaps, like an alcoholic who quits drinking and gets addicted to fitness, there is a way to trade one fixation for another here. Treating’misinformation addiction’ in the traditional sense may be unrealistic.
Wellness is also the “other” passion, and these days, those areas are often portals to disinformation.
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3. Crisis Phase
Bottoming out is one of the ways to get out of addiction.
The most prevalent reason for cult members to leave is that they no longer believe in the group’s beliefs. A familial or social intervention is frequently the catalyst for this “faith crisis.”The crisis phase puts so much mental pressure on a person . He started believing that he starts believing in all the wrong information.
4. Less Believe
When a person get obsessed with misinformation, it reflects he has lost believe in himself. Less believe is the factor which encourage a person to find more options to accept the truth or any fact.
5. No emotional Support
Emotional support is very important in a person life. A strong support will make you feel secure and safe . You will have a feeling of positive vibes around you. But the opposite happens when there is no one to support you emotionally.
Impact of Misinformation on Mental heath
Misinformation and false news are integrally linked to media pollution, which can exacerbate anxiety, fear, insecurity, and frustration. As well as lead to failed therapies, noncompliance with preventive measures, discrimination, and stigma. Anxiety might be tough to manage if you worry excessively or consume a lot of media.
Also Read: 7 Ways To Be A Mental Ally
The continual flow of information also tends to instil a strong fear of just not knowing what is going on. People are wondering what will happen next and how horrible it will be on the internet.
It is required to evaluate the source, validity, and reliability of information before considering it for publication.
Both conveying scientific information and fostering positivism should be priorities for the media.
The media should not broadcast any news, films, or photos that may mislead the public or cause emotional distress. Instead, the goal should be to reduce the harm caused by disinformation while also encouraging healthy public conduct.
AWARENESS ABOUT MISINFORMATION
- As people also become more aware of the dangers of misinformation and deception, more strategies to combat it emerge.
- When it comes to determining what information is correct and what isn’t, awareness is crucial.
- There are a few things you can do to defend yourself from the consequences of misinformation and deception, according to Catchings:
- Use trustworthy sources to stay informed.
- Consult with friends or family members who are interested in remaining current.
- Don’t believe everything you see on TV or on social media.
(source: psychology today, psychiatric times)