If we question the accuracy of information, can search engines help us find the correct answer?

What is it about?

Can search engines help us discern the truth when we are presented with potentially false information? This study examined the impact of prejudiced misinformation about ethnic minorities in Japan, and found that while using search engines can help individuals avoid believing misinformation, it is not a foolproof solution. Moreover, this desirable effect is most pronounced among those who are most vulnerable to believing misinformation. However, the study also uncovered a downside: when people use search engines to verify the accuracy of information, they are exposed to a lot of negative information about ethnic minorities, which can lead to a worsening of their attitudes toward them. In other words, even when people know that the information they encountered is incorrect, their feelings about the subject can still deteriorate.

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Photo by Nathana Rebouças on Unsplash

Photo by Nathana Rebouças on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Social media is flooded with misinformation and disinformation. Search engines are expected to serve as a collective intelligence and a reliable source of accurate information. However, can we rely on search engines to verify the truth of information that may be misleading? Previous studies have shown that we tend to selectively seek out information that confirms our beliefs, rather than seeking information impartially. Consequently, we may not end up with accurate information even if we use search engines. In other words, because of our biases, we may end up using search engines to reinforce our belief in misinformation. However, our study suggests that using search engines can increase the likelihood of finding accurate information, which is good news. Nevertheless, there is also a downside. If we are exposed to a lot of negative information about a particular subject (in this case, ethnic minorities in Japan) during our search, it can negatively impact our emotional response to the subject, even if we obtain accurate information. In summary, while search engines can help us verify the accuracy of information, our biases can influence how we use them. Additionally, even if we find accurate information, our emotional response to the subject can be negatively affected by the negative information encountered during the search.