Does that mean that making thread titles like "Debunked: something" may be counterproductive?
Or maybe "Debunked: something" is fine because it starts with the word "debunked", but "Something (debunked)" would be counterproductive?
Well, according to the study "Debunked: something" could be problematic:
But there is a lot more into debunking than thread titles. I don't think what the title says affects believers to any significant degree. But I think it's important to consider that the study talks about scientific myths, not conspiracy theories. Believers in conspiracies don't keep believing because their memory fades, I think that part of the study applies more to the general public and conventional misconceptions about things.
You only use 10% of your brain. Carrots make you see better in the dark. Those kinds of things.
When it comes to conspiracy believers it is in my opinion the
clustering of illusionary evidence, and the underlying psychological aspects of the conspiracy mindset that traps believers.
About the psychological aspects, this study shows a correlation between low self-esteem and conspiracy thinking tendencies:
- Does Self-Love or Self-Hate Predict Conspiracy Beliefs? Narcissism, Self-Esteem, and the Endorsement of Conspiracy Theories
http://spp.sagepub.com/content/7/2/157.abstract
My own observations reaches the same conclusion, people with low self-esteem, or narcissism, are drawn to conspiracy theories because they provide feelings that both personalities need. Belief in conspiracy theories gives a sense of overview and control, to be part of the heroic minority that fights against evil when the dumb masses are just bumming around. Both feelings are appealing to those with low self-esteem, and narcissism. To accept the conspiracy theories as false these individuals also need to abandon the positive feelings that comes with these ideas, thus they have developed an emotional dependency on what they believe.
There is also the problem with what I call the clustering of illusionary evidence. Few believers only believe one conspiracy theory, it is very common that if there is belief in one, there is belief in many. Conspiracy thinkers always have some other claim or theory to fall back on if the first one is rebutted. Because of the often superficial understanding of each claim, it's more about quantity than quality so to speak. But superficial understanding can give bad claims the appearance of being evidence, especially when the claims comes in large numbers.
Did you know eyewitness heard bombs at world trade center? The missing 2.3 trillions from Pentagon? Larry Silverstein said "pull it". They found nano thermite in the rubble. No plane hit Pentagon. Israeli spies were dancing as the towers fell. Jet fuel can't melt steel beams. And the list goes on.
That is also just one topic. Add "chemtrails", global warming hoax, false flags, GMO and vaccine dangers, secret societies ruling over us. I understand why conspiracy thinkers have such hard times quitting their mindset.