Summary

Even after misinformation is corrected, false beliefs can linger. Using EEG, this study explored how people encode events, their causes, and corrections versus affirmations. Quick correct judgments predicted better memory for corrections the next day, while repeated exposure to misinformation didn’t improve learning. Neural signals revealed that corrections evoke weaker P300 responses but stronger frontal slow-wave activity when successfully remembered, suggesting that processing corrections is more cognitively demanding than processing affirmations 

Summary

Here, we examine how properties of AI-synthesized images influence belief in misinformation and memory for corrections. Realistic and probative (i.e., providing strong evidence) images predicted greater belief in false headlines. Additionally, we found preliminary evidence that paying attention to properties of images could selectively lower belief in false headlines. Our findings suggest that advances in photorealistic image generation will likely lead to greater susceptibility to misinformation, and that future interventions should consider shifting attention to images.