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Fake news travels fast. But why does anyone actually believe it? It has been widely assumed that fake news spreads because we like to believe stories that confirm our world view.
But a study of more than 3000 people suggests otherwise, finding that whether you believe a headline – fake or otherwise – has more to do with your ability to resist mental shortcuts.
Humans are well known for avoiding thinking whenever possible. Unconscious, automatic thinking is fast, effortless and intuitive and allows us to be thrifty with our …