A new study shows that people put more weight on their own beliefs than on those of others. But this self-belief is strongly influenced by how closely others have similar beliefs.
The study helps explain coronavirus deniers or people who are not convinced about the results of the US presidential election.
Study participants were shown animal pictures and asked to estimate the number of animals. They were asked to make a second estimate after being shown numbers from other participants. The second estimate depended on if and how much their peers’ estimates differed from each other and from their own.
Researchers used the results to model how people behave in real life.
Interactions are increasingly online.
Algorithms often present information that is biased to our own views.
Researchers showed that the way people process information often isolates them within bubbles of similar ideas, and they become less open to alternatives.
Original article:
Forming beliefs in a world of filter bubbles
Original study: