#116: Illusory Truth Effect, Limited Hangout & Mythmaking
3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Truth and Half-Truths
I. Illusory Truth Effect
If false information is repeated often enough, we tend to believe it. This phenomenon has come to be known as the Illusory Truth Effect. Information that is repeated is more likely to be found true.
The effect was established in the late 1970s. In one study, participants were reminded that the repetition of statements such as news stories had no bearing on their truthfulness. They were still more likely to rate the repeated yet fake stories as true. Even though they had been told they weren’t accurate.
In conclusion, if you repeat something often enough, such as a claim about a phenomenon called the Illusory Truth Effect, people will believe it. (Even though this one’s actually true.)
II. Limited Hangout
A Limited Hangout is a sneaky communication tactic that’s used when a secret can no longer be held as a secret. The idea is to reveal only part of the truth or selected information to divert attention from more damaging or sensitive facts.
Imagine your kids had a secret house party while you were away on holiday. You notice your strategic whiskey reserves are running dangerously low. And you can’t recall having depleted them yourself. The truth is about to come out so your kids decide to let parts of the truth “hang out” so to speak. They admit to having had people over for a civilised whiskey tasting. All while hoping you won’t probe further.
To the surprise of no one, the term originated with spies and politicians trying to keep as much unfavourable information away from the public as possible.
III. Mythmaking
How do you create a myth around yourself and keep it alive? Former CIA covert officer Andrew Bustamante shares an answer from General David Petraeus, a man whose physical fitness and strength reached mythical status among his troops:
He had this amazing answer: “I don’t talk about it. Myths are born not from somebody orchestrating the myth but from the source of the myth simply being secretive.” So he’s like: “I don’t talk about it. I never talked about it. I never exacerbated it. I just do what I do and I let the troops talk. When it goes in favour of discipline and loyalty and commitment, I let it run. If it starts getting desctruive or damaging then I have my leadership team step in to fix it.”
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Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com