Active Now

CosmicWunderkind
Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » A single lie spoken just once isn't nearly as effective as a lie that is repeated many times. I'm not sure why, are you?
RosieG

A single lie spoken just once isn't nearly as effective as a lie that is repeated many times. I'm not sure why, are you?

Perhaps folks conflate repeating lies a multiplicity of time with hearing a truth.

Posted - April 28, 2018
Tags : None

Responses


  • That little paraphrase from a quote by Hitler, is the main reason for the relentless drive to rewrite or erase history. With one more generation, you lose it entirely. Not that Americans ever were the brightest bulb on the tree when it came to their own history and culture. Folks that choose the route of legal immigration, have to know some history, civics and something of the American system before they are naturalized. With the criteria for legal citizenship disappearing, so will  the need to examine people for "naturalization". See how it all works. But then the ones that raise their right hands and swear an oath while waving a little American flag, were always the fools in my estimation. 
      April 28, 2018 9:30 AM MDT
    0

  • 10880

    Illusory truth effect - the tendency to believe information to be correct after repeated exposure.

    When something is said repeatedly, it begins to feel familiar (cognitive ease).  Our brains like information that’s easy to process.  Therefore, when we are repeatedly told or shown something, we become familiar with it and our brains don’t have to work so hard to process that information.  That’s what makes famous people famous.  We see or hear about them so much we become familiar with them (cognitive ease).   Likewise, if a statement is repeated enough times, we become familiar with it and will believe it to be true – whether it is or not. 

    True or false –

    * Humans only use 10% of their brains. 

    * The internal temperature of the human body is 98.6 F. 

    * Tomatoes are fruits.

    Are you sure?

    Cognitive ease is what makes advertising so successful.  If we’re bombarded with a slogan long enough, we’ll start to believe it.  Geico will save you 10% on car insurance.  Donald Trump will make America great again.

    Likewise, things written in smooth font are more believable that those written in a hard to read font.  Videos in hi-def are more believable that those with poor video and/or audio.  

    (answers – 1-F; 2-F; 3-T)

     

     

    This post was edited by Shuhak at April 29, 2018 4:37 AM MDT
      April 28, 2018 10:37 AM MDT
    1

  • 113301
    So here comes an obvious question m'dear. "If telling a lie repeatedly causes folks to believe it will refuting it repeatedly work as effectively so they will disbelieve it?" Is it a two-way street or is the first way so indelibly engraved on the mind that there is no way to undo the damage? Thank you for your very thoughtful and informative reply Shuhak. My first reaction was "we are doomed" but then I thought if repetitions works one way why can't work the other way too? I'm gonna ask! :)
      April 29, 2018 4:40 AM MDT
    0

  • 10880
    Yes!  It works both ways.  If ANY statement (be it true or false) is repeated enough times, we become familiar with it and will believe it to be true.
      April 29, 2018 9:18 AM MDT
    0