It’s not rocket science to understand that not everything we see online is true. Yet some folks seem to fall for staged videos hook, line, and sinker. Why is that?
Well, psychology has a few things to say about it.
Turns out, there are certain traits that make people more prone to believing these artfully crafted illusions. These traits aren’t about intelligence or education level, but rather the psychological makeup of an individual.
In the following article, I’ll delve into the seven traits of people who easily believe staged videos on the internet.
We’ll explore why these traits make folks more susceptible and how awareness can be the first step towards healthy skepticism.
So let’s dive in and unravel this digital conundrum.
1) Lack of healthy skepticism
Those who tend to believe staged videos often exhibit a lack of healthy skepticism. They tend to accept what they see at face value, without questioning the source of the information or its validity.
In the digital era where anyone can create content, this trait can make someone more susceptible to misinformation.
Famous psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The pendulum of the mind oscillates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong.”
This quote aptly applies to those who easily believe staged videos – they are not necessarily wrong, but they may be oscillating more towards nonsense due to their lack of skepticism.
It’s not about blindly doubting everything they come across. It’s more about developing a habit of digging deeper, seeking facts, and weighing evidence before accepting something as true.
This ability to question and assess is crucial in navigating the vast sea of digital content.
2) Craving for sensational content
I remember a time when I stumbled upon a video of a man leaping across rooftops like a superhero.
For a moment, I was completely transfixed, and I wanted to believe it was real – simply because it was sensational and out of the ordinary.
This craving for sensational content is another trait common among those who easily fall for staged videos.
As humans, we’re wired to be attracted to novelty and excitement. These videos often cater to that instinct, offering us a break from our regular, mundane lives.
Famed psychologist Abraham Maslow once said, “The key question isn’t ‘What fosters creativity?’ But it is why in God’s name isn’t everyone creative? Where was the human potential lost? How was it crippled?”
In the context of staged videos, this quote reminds us that the allure of creativity can sometimes make us overlook reality.
We’re so drawn to the unique and extraordinary that we often suspend our disbelief, making it easier to accept these videos as genuine.
3) Desire for validation
Do you ever find yourself sharing content online just to get likes, comments, or shares? There’s a certain thrill that comes from being the first to share something groundbreaking or shocking.
But this desire for validation can also make us more likely to believe and share staged videos.
We all crave validation. It’s a deeply ingrained part of our psyche. Yet, this need can sometimes cloud our judgment, making us overlook critical details and accept staged videos as real.
As psychologist Alfred Adler once said, “The greater the feeling of inferiority that has been experienced, the more powerful is the urge to conquest and the more violent the emotional agitation.”
In our context, this could be interpreted as the more we feel overlooked or undervalued, the stronger our desire is to seek validation by being a part of something sensational – like sharing a seemingly incredible video.
It’s a raw and honest reality many of us face. The key is to recognize this trait in ourselves and ensure it doesn’t lead us astray in the digital landscape.
4) Low digital literacy
Not everyone is equally adept at navigating the digital world. A lower level of digital literacy can make people more susceptible to believing staged videos.
If you’re not familiar with video editing techniques or how to verify the credibility of online information, it’s easier to take staged content as genuine.
A study conducted by Stanford University found that most students couldn’t distinguish between sponsored content and real news on a website.
While this highlights a gap in our education system, it also underscores the importance of digital literacy in our increasingly connected world.
Understanding the basics of how digital content is created and shared can go a long way in preventing misinformation from spreading.
It’s not about becoming a tech wizard, but rather about being an informed and cautious digital citizen.
5) Confirmation bias
How often do we believe something simply because it aligns with our existing beliefs? I’ve certainly fallen into this trap. This is known as confirmation bias and it’s a trait that can make us more likely to believe staged videos.
When we encounter a video that supports our existing views or prejudices, we’re more inclined to accept it as true, often without questioning its authenticity.
Confirmation bias is a powerful psychological phenomenon. As psychologist Daniel Kahneman said, “We’re blind to our blindness. We have very little idea of how little we know. We’re not designed to know how little we know.”
Our personal biases can blind us, making it easy to fall for staged videos that align with our worldview. Recognizing this can be a crucial step in becoming more discerning digital consumers.
6) Overconfidence in judgment
Here’s a counterintuitive one: overconfidence in our ability to judge what’s real and what’s not can actually make us more susceptible to believing staged videos.
You might think, “I’m not gullible. I can tell when something’s fake.” But this overconfidence can sometimes blind us to the nuanced signs of staged content.
Famed psychologist David Dunning, of the Dunning-Kruger effect, once said, “The first rule of the Dunning-Kruger club is you don’t know you’re a member of the Dunning-Kruger club.”
This psychological principle suggests that people with low ability at a task overestimate their ability.
In this context, we may overestimate our ability to discern real from staged, making us more vulnerable to deception. It’s a humbling reminder of the need for constant vigilance and learning in the digital age.
7) Lack of critical thinking
Finally, a lack of critical thinking can make us more prone to believing staged videos.
Without questioning the source, purpose, or authenticity of the content, we’re just passively consuming it, which can lead to misinformation.
As psychologist Rollo May said, “The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.”
This could be applied to our digital consumption habits – conforming to popular content without questioning can be a form of digital cowardice.
Critical thinking is key in discerning truth from fiction online.
Wrapping up
As we journey through the digital landscape, it’s crucial to remember that our psychology plays a significant role in how we perceive and interact with the content we encounter.
Understanding these seven traits isn’t about labeling or criticizing those who fall for staged videos. Instead, it serves as a reminder of our human tendencies and vulnerabilities in the face of persuasive digital content.
Being aware of these traits can empower us to pause, reflect, and question before accepting any piece of content at face value. It’s about nurturing a balance between curiosity and skepticism, between acceptance and critical thinking.
In the end, it’s not just about avoiding staged videos or misinformation, but about becoming more discerning, mindful, and responsible digital citizens.
Because in this digital era, our beliefs and actions online can shape not just our reality, but also the world around us.
