Fact or Fake? The Psychology of Misinformation

Name: Fact or Fake? The Psychology of Misinformation
Start: 2024-12-04T18:00:00+1100
End: 2024-12-04T19:30:00+1100
Location: Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre

Wed, 4 Dec, 6pm - 7:30pm AEDT

Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre

sandy bay, australia

University of Tasmania

853 followers · Contact host

Event description

2024 Scholars in Psychology Lecture

What makes us vulnerable to misleading information, even when we suspect it’s false? How deeply can misinformation affect our actions?

In a world of information abundance, separating fact from fiction has never been more challenging. With news, social media and countless sources claiming authority at our fingertips, misinformation can spread rapidly, shaping beliefs and behaviors in ways we may not even notice. The potential damage of these untruths, from vaccine myths that undermine public health objectives, to election fraud claims that shake democratic trust, are easy to imagine.

Join cognitive psychology expert, Professor Ullrich Ecker as he tackles these crucial questions, exploring why certain narratives take root, how they influence our thinking and behaviour, and what strategies can help us navigate today’s complex media landscape.

The expert
Professor Ullrich Ecker is a cognitive psychologist, and his research focuses on the impacts of misinformation on memory, reasoning, and behaviour. Ullrich received his PhD at Saarland University, Germany in 2007 and then moved to the University of Western Australia, where he is a Professor in the School of Psychological Science and a Fellow of the UWA Public Policy Institute. With his students and collaborators, he has published more than 100 journal articles and book chapters, and he sits on the Australian Research Council’s College of Experts, as well as the editorial board of multiple international journals. He has provided expert advice to Facebook, German and Australian courts of law, parliamentary committees in Singapore and Victoria, the European Commission, and the Australian Departments of Health and Home Affairs.

Hosted by Professor Lisa Foa, Head of the School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania

Pre-event refreshments
Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.

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Parking
Free parking is available at the venue.

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Hostinformation

University of Tasmania

853 followers

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Welcome to the University of Tasmania

Changing the world is not simple. It takes thought, time, persistence, and insight. But most of all, it takes something extraordinary. So at the University of Tasmania, we’ve made the pursuit of the extraordinary a never-ending commitment. It influences everything we do. The way we teach. The way we research. The way we learn. And the way we live.

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Welcome to one of the world’s most spectacular natural environments. Framed by beaches, snowfields and wilderness, from our stunning island home in Tasmania we’re free to think on a bigger scale. Whether it’s in our teaching, research, or even student lifestyle, this unique landscape has prepared us to connect to the world. We’re also fortunate to be right in Tasmania’s vibrant cultural heart. From our MONA inspired arts boom to our established food, wine and coffee culture, Tasmania’s towns and cities are as cosmopolitan as anywhere in Australia. Friendly, vibrant and always changing, Tasmania’s as good a place to live, as it is to learn.

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Our commitment to the extraordinary tells the world one thing. Wherever you’re from – and wherever you’re headed – at the University of Tasmania you have the opportunity to use education to become whoever or whatever you want.

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