How do we discern what is factual from what isn’t? In this episode, Dr. Colleen Sinclair joins us to discuss the functions of disinformation, and to unpack how our own biases, emotions and vulnerabilities influence what we are willing to believe.

Our guest is: Dr. H. Colleen Sinclair, Associate Research Professor of Social Psychology at Louisiana State University. She takes a theory-grounded, multi-method approach to tackling social issues. She works on: understanding the hazards of the information highway, including dis/misinformation; investigating means to improve equity and access in educational, policy, and correctional settings; and examining challenges within intergroup and interpersonal relations. She is the author of “Seven Ways to Avoid Becoming a Misinformation Superspreader,” and “Disinformation Is Rampant On Social Media,” both published in The Conversation, as well as book chapters, and other publications.

Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast.

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