Author(s): Randolph H. PHERSON, Penelope MORT RANTA
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: December 31, 2019
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 22/2019
DOI:
Abstract:
“In recent years, democracies have increasingly come under attack by
perpetrators of Digital Disinformation”1, also commonly referred to as Fake News.
Manifestations of Digital Disinformation can range from Russia attempting to influence
election outcomes to young entrepreneurs in Macedonia posting false stories for profit.
In the absence of laws or international standards to regulate these online activities, the
perpetrators have honed techniques that, intentionally or not, effectively manipulate
popular perceptions by exploiting the cognitive biases, misapplied heuristics, and
intuitive traps shared by all people. This article explores which of these cognitive
limitations have proven the most effective to exploit. Key biases and misapplied
heuristics the Russians and others have used to promote their agendas include:
Confirmation Bias, Vividness Bias, Groupthink, and the Anchoring Effect. Examples of
intuitive traps that can easily be manipulated through postings on social media include
Judging by Emotion, Confusing Causality with Correlation, and Ignoring Inconsistent
Information. „The best antidote for such manipulation is to employ more deliberate and
purposeful thought processes as described by Daniel Kahneman in his book, Thinking
Fast and Slow. Structured Analytic Techniques are effective in helping people recognize
when they are being influenced by Digital Disinformation and in countering its impact”.
(see more on Pherson, June 2019)
Keywords: Digital Disinformation, Fake News, Social Media, Cognitive Bias,
Misapplied Heuristics, Intuitive Traps, System 2 Thinking, Structured Analytic
Techniques
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