prairie point is the best - not
You know those articles that attempt to dispel bad information by listing a commonly held belief and then labeling it as “false?” Here is an example of what I mean.
Well, new research seems to show that this way of writing could cause as much harm as good.
A study by the University of Michigan shows that within hours of reading such an article a significant percentage begin to misremember what they’ve read. Instead of remembering that a statement was labeled as false they begin to remember it as being affirmed as true.
The conventional response to myths and urban legends is to counter bad information with accurate information. But … denials and clarifications, for all their intuitive appeal, can paradoxically contribute to the resiliency of popular myths.
Repeating information, even to debunk it, makes it easier to remember. The Washington Post article mostly gives examples from politics. However this research has meaning to everyone engaged in writing for the public.
So what should you do instead? If possible try to make a positive assertion that makes no reference to the false claim.
September 6th, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
So does this explain why I keep getting those stupid emails from people even when they have been labeled over and over as “urban legends.”
September 6th, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Very interesting–thanks
September 10th, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
This reminds me that as a Special Ed teacher, I was taught to give positive commands rather than negative ones. “Remember to take your umbrella.” rather than “Don’t forget your umbrella.” Also, especially with small children, it is always better to say, “Do this!” (Walk!) rather than “Stop doing that.” (Stop running.) A lot of times children don’t stop what they’re doing when told because they can’t figure out an alternative behavior on their own.
Well at least I won’t have any trouble remembering that Prairie Point is the best!