The Psychology of Falsehood: A Human-Centric Survey of Misinformation Detection
This survey addresses the societal issue of misinformation by advocating for more robust detection methods that consider human psychology, though it is incremental as it builds on existing fact-checking approaches.
The paper tackles the problem of misinformation detection by highlighting the limitations of current automated fact-checking systems that focus only on factual accuracy, and proposes a shift towards human-centered frameworks that incorporate psychological concepts like cognitive biases and emotional responses to improve detection effectiveness.
Misinformation remains one of the most significant issues in the digital age. While automated fact-checking has emerged as a viable solution, most current systems are limited to evaluating factual accuracy. However, the detrimental effect of misinformation transcends simple falsehoods; it takes advantage of how individuals perceive, interpret, and emotionally react to information. This underscores the need to move beyond factuality and adopt more human-centered detection frameworks. In this survey, we explore the evolving interplay between traditional fact-checking approaches and psychological concepts such as cognitive biases, social dynamics, and emotional responses. By analyzing state-of-the-art misinformation detection systems through the lens of human psychology and behavior, we reveal critical limitations of current methods and identify opportunities for improvement. Additionally, we outline future research directions aimed at creating more robust and adaptive frameworks, such as neuro-behavioural models that integrate technological factors with the complexities of human cognition and social influence. These approaches offer promising pathways to more effectively detect and mitigate the societal harms of misinformation.