Matthew Facciani
@matthewfacciani.bsky.social
Social Scientist @NotreDame.
Studies misinformation, media literacy, & AI.
Author of Misguided: https://amzn.to/48zTs59
https://matthewfacciani.substack.com
www.matthewfacciani.com
Studies misinformation, media literacy, & AI.
Author of Misguided: https://amzn.to/48zTs59
https://matthewfacciani.substack.com
www.matthewfacciani.com
Pinned
The First Copy of Misguided Arrived—Here’s What Comes Next
Preorders for my new book are live, events are coming, and I’m booking interviews.
matthewfacciani.substack.com
After five years of work, I finally held a copy of my book Misguided—a surreal moment and long-time dream come true. The book explores the psychology of misinformation and is now available for preorder; I’m also booking podcast interviews and talks to support the launch. #BookSky #Misguided
New study finds that people struggle to accurately judge their own performance when using AI tools. The authors suggest adding a simple “explain-back” step where users restate the AI’s reasoning in their own words before accepting its answer. This could help ensure they understand the AI’s response.
AI makes you smarter but none the wiser: The disconnect between performance and metacognition
Optimizing human–AI interaction requires users to reflect on their performance critically, yet little is known about generative AI systems’ effect on …
www.sciencedirect.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
New study finds that people struggle to accurately judge their own performance when using AI tools. The authors suggest adding a simple “explain-back” step where users restate the AI’s reasoning in their own words before accepting its answer. This could help ensure they understand the AI’s response.
It was such a great experience to speak at my alma mater’s colloquium this past week! I had many meaningful conversations with students, and it was incredibly rewarding to share my current research at the place that helped launch my career.
www.westminster.edu/about/news/r...
www.westminster.edu/about/news/r...
Speaker to discuss the psychology of misinformation at Westminster’s annual colloquium \ Westminster College
Dr. Matthew Facciani ’11 of the University of Notre Dame will present “The Psychology of Misinformation: How Our Social Worlds Shape What We Believe” at Westminster College’s annual Psychology and Neu...
www.westminster.edu
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
It was such a great experience to speak at my alma mater’s colloquium this past week! I had many meaningful conversations with students, and it was incredibly rewarding to share my current research at the place that helped launch my career.
www.westminster.edu/about/news/r...
www.westminster.edu/about/news/r...
New analysis of neuroimaging data finds that messages that activate the brain’s reward and social-relevance systems are more persuasive, influencing both individuals and large groups beyond what people say they like via self-reports.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Brain activity explains message effectiveness: A mega-analysis of 16 neuroimaging studies
Abstract. Persuasive communication in marketing, political, and health domains influences sales, elections, and public health. We present a mega-analysis (
academic.oup.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
New analysis of neuroimaging data finds that messages that activate the brain’s reward and social-relevance systems are more persuasive, influencing both individuals and large groups beyond what people say they like via self-reports.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
“Election efforts” is an interesting choice of words for this headline. www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Trump grants pardons to Giuliani, Meadows, others linked to 2020 election efforts
The pardons include 77 allies tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and former Trump attorney Sidney Powell.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
“Election efforts” is an interesting choice of words for this headline. www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Reposted by Matthew Facciani
For any who think about both online child safety and polarization in the U.S. This report from More in Common shows strong cross-partisan support for digital protections - and suggests that it's an issue that help bridge divides.
moreincommonus.com/publication/...
moreincommonus.com/publication/...
November 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
For any who think about both online child safety and polarization in the U.S. This report from More in Common shows strong cross-partisan support for digital protections - and suggests that it's an issue that help bridge divides.
moreincommonus.com/publication/...
moreincommonus.com/publication/...
The Trump administration decided to completely dismantle the United States Agency for International Development and doing so has caused the deaths of thousands people, two-thirds of them children.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The Trump administration decided to completely dismantle the United States Agency for International Development and doing so has caused the deaths of thousands people, two-thirds of them children.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Matthew Facciani
Is #Misinformation as a term becoming tainted? Good reflections from @matthewfacciani.bsky.social 👇
Why This Misinformation Researcher Doesn't Use the Word “Misinformation” in Everyday Conversations
The word we often use to fight falsehoods might be the very thing keeping us from connecting.
matthewfacciani.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Is #Misinformation as a term becoming tainted? Good reflections from @matthewfacciani.bsky.social 👇
Tonight I’ll be giving a talk for my undergraduate Alma mater, Westminster College. It’s already been an amazing experience to come back where I fell in love with psychology, and meet with the current students!
November 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Tonight I’ll be giving a talk for my undergraduate Alma mater, Westminster College. It’s already been an amazing experience to come back where I fell in love with psychology, and meet with the current students!
New survey study of Austrian youth aged 15–25 finds that:
• 75.4% follow influencers
• 77.6% trust influencers they follow for health information
• 30% have already bought a health product on the recommendation of an influencer
www.jahonline.org/article/S105...
• 75.4% follow influencers
• 77.6% trust influencers they follow for health information
• 30% have already bought a health product on the recommendation of an influencer
www.jahonline.org/article/S105...
Engagement With Influencers as Sources of Health Information and Product Promotions: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Austrian Youth Aged 15–25 Years
Social media influencers have become a key source of health information for young
people, despite often lacking medical expertise and being driven by commercial interests.
This study examines influenc...
www.jahonline.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
New survey study of Austrian youth aged 15–25 finds that:
• 75.4% follow influencers
• 77.6% trust influencers they follow for health information
• 30% have already bought a health product on the recommendation of an influencer
www.jahonline.org/article/S105...
• 75.4% follow influencers
• 77.6% trust influencers they follow for health information
• 30% have already bought a health product on the recommendation of an influencer
www.jahonline.org/article/S105...
People generally exert the least amount of energy they can to receive a reward. However, a new study finds that when participants learn that other people are working hard at a task, they will increase their efforts.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
osf.io/preprints/ps...
OSF
osf.io
November 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
People generally exert the least amount of energy they can to receive a reward. However, a new study finds that when participants learn that other people are working hard at a task, they will increase their efforts.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
osf.io/preprints/ps...
You may have seen scary headlines linking melatonin and a higher risk of heart failure.
But when you look closely at the research behind those headlines, it’s much less alarming.
Let’s break down what the study actually did, and what it didn’t. 🧵
But when you look closely at the research behind those headlines, it’s much less alarming.
Let’s break down what the study actually did, and what it didn’t. 🧵
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
You may have seen scary headlines linking melatonin and a higher risk of heart failure.
But when you look closely at the research behind those headlines, it’s much less alarming.
Let’s break down what the study actually did, and what it didn’t. 🧵
But when you look closely at the research behind those headlines, it’s much less alarming.
Let’s break down what the study actually did, and what it didn’t. 🧵
The McCullough Foundation’s “landmark” vaccine report relies on unreliable sources, many from retracted papers, predatory journals, or the same authors citing each other. It repeats long-debunked claims and ignores large studies showing that vaccines are safe, effective, and not linked to autism.
Anti-Vaccine Mad Libs: The McCullough Foundation’s “Landmark” Report
Same recycled claims, shiny new packaging
theunbiasedscipod.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The McCullough Foundation’s “landmark” vaccine report relies on unreliable sources, many from retracted papers, predatory journals, or the same authors citing each other. It repeats long-debunked claims and ignores large studies showing that vaccines are safe, effective, and not linked to autism.
Fox News shared a fake AI-generated video that supported its own narrative, then followed up with a minimal correction that far fewer viewers will see.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqpT...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqpT...
Fox News TRICKED By AI Welfare Queen Slop
YouTube video by Breaking Points
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Fox News shared a fake AI-generated video that supported its own narrative, then followed up with a minimal correction that far fewer viewers will see.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqpT...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqpT...
How do people around the world encounter science, and what shapes those encounters?
Our new global study found that social media now carries much of the world’s science content, but local culture, infrastructure, and curiosity still determine how people engage. #ScienceSky #scicomm
Our new global study found that social media now carries much of the world’s science content, but local culture, infrastructure, and curiosity still determine how people engage. #ScienceSky #scicomm
How the World Talks About Science
Our new international study finds that science communication looks very different depending on culture, media systems, and access to technology.
matthewfacciani.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:35 PM
How do people around the world encounter science, and what shapes those encounters?
Our new global study found that social media now carries much of the world’s science content, but local culture, infrastructure, and curiosity still determine how people engage. #ScienceSky #scicomm
Our new global study found that social media now carries much of the world’s science content, but local culture, infrastructure, and curiosity still determine how people engage. #ScienceSky #scicomm
"earlier this year, the Trump administration quietly dismantled the external peer review procedure that assured that CDC-funded extramural research reflected the “most meritorious ideas and projects,” and maintained public accountability."
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Exclusive: The Trump administration dismantled the CDC’s peer review system. Staffers scrambled to salvage it.
The CDC sends hundreds of millions of dollars to outside researchers each year. Would the Trump administration let that happen in 2025?
insidemedicine.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:28 PM
"earlier this year, the Trump administration quietly dismantled the external peer review procedure that assured that CDC-funded extramural research reflected the “most meritorious ideas and projects,” and maintained public accountability."
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
"having a conspiratorial mindset and believing that truth is shaped by politics are strong predictors of belief in conspiracy theories and misinformation. Both reflect a general distrust of the connection between politics and knowledge."
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/not-...
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/not-...
Not so different after all? Antecedents of believing in misinformation and conspiracy theories on COVID-19 | HKS Misinformation Review
Misinformation and conspiracy theories are often grouped together, but do people believe in them for the same reasons? This study examines how these conceptually distinct forms of deceptive content ar...
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu
November 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"having a conspiratorial mindset and believing that truth is shaped by politics are strong predictors of belief in conspiracy theories and misinformation. Both reflect a general distrust of the connection between politics and knowledge."
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/not-...
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/not-...
"Whether you are writing about a rumor, lie, or a conspiracy theory, it helps to be specific. If you don’t know what exactly you are dealing with, it may be worth spending some time trying to figure that out."
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
The Lies Have It: Advice for Journalists Approaching Misinformation
Kai Kupferschmidt, KSJ '24, shares actionable tips for journalists seeking to reduce the harm of misinformation.
ksj.mit.edu
November 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM
"Whether you are writing about a rumor, lie, or a conspiracy theory, it helps to be specific. If you don’t know what exactly you are dealing with, it may be worth spending some time trying to figure that out."
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Matthew Facciani
“We are replacing pluralism with personalization, and surrendering our information-gathering to validation machines that always tell us we’re right.“
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The Validation Machines
Humanity thrives on friction—so why are the tools of the future built to make everything seem so easy?
www.theatlantic.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM
“We are replacing pluralism with personalization, and surrendering our information-gathering to validation machines that always tell us we’re right.“
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Unbelievable World Series and Game 7. Many amazing moments, but Yamamoto’s performance was legendary.
November 2, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Unbelievable World Series and Game 7. Many amazing moments, but Yamamoto’s performance was legendary.
As a misinformation researcher, I use the word “misinformation” constantly in my work. But in everyday conversations, I’ve learned it can be counterproductive. Sometimes the word we use most to fight falsehoods is the very thing that shuts people down.
Here’s why, and what works better:
Here’s why, and what works better:
Why This Misinformation Researcher Doesn't Use the Word “Misinformation” in Everyday Conversations
The word we often use to fight falsehoods might be the very thing keeping us from connecting.
matthewfacciani.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:28 PM
As a misinformation researcher, I use the word “misinformation” constantly in my work. But in everyday conversations, I’ve learned it can be counterproductive. Sometimes the word we use most to fight falsehoods is the very thing that shuts people down.
Here’s why, and what works better:
Here’s why, and what works better:
New meta-analysis found that self-affirmation interventions have small but meaningful positive effects on multiple aspects of well-being, including self-perception, general well-being, and social well-being. These small boosts to our sense of self can make us more open to challenging information.
APA PsycNet
psycnet.apa.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:56 PM
New meta-analysis found that self-affirmation interventions have small but meaningful positive effects on multiple aspects of well-being, including self-perception, general well-being, and social well-being. These small boosts to our sense of self can make us more open to challenging information.
This website tracks contagious disease outbreaks across the world by scraping data from news articles. It's free and regularly updated!
healthmap.org/en/
healthmap.org/en/
HealthMap | Flu Map | Contagious Disease Surveillance | Virus Awareness
HealthMap brings together disparate data sources to achieve a unified and comprehensive view of the current global state of infectious diseases.
healthmap.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:10 PM
This website tracks contagious disease outbreaks across the world by scraping data from news articles. It's free and regularly updated!
healthmap.org/en/
healthmap.org/en/
“By employing interactive activities and using real-world examples, workshop attendees found media literacy to be a necessity in their lives.”
www.poynter.org/fact-checkin...
www.poynter.org/fact-checkin...
How a Peruvian journalist turned media literacy into a community movement - Poynter
Recognizing information empowers people, Lucero Ascarza honed her skills to teach specific media literacy techniques to her community
www.poynter.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
“By employing interactive activities and using real-world examples, workshop attendees found media literacy to be a necessity in their lives.”
www.poynter.org/fact-checkin...
www.poynter.org/fact-checkin...
It’s a strange feeling to stumble across a post asking if anyone has pirated your book. While I’m always glad to see people interested in my work, it’s also disheartening to see something I’ve poured so much time into being stolen.
October 29, 2025 at 11:43 PM
It’s a strange feeling to stumble across a post asking if anyone has pirated your book. While I’m always glad to see people interested in my work, it’s also disheartening to see something I’ve poured so much time into being stolen.