Some people are more likely to believe misinformation and fake news than others. But why?
It often comes down to certain psychological traits that make a person more vulnerable to false or misleading information. These traits can shape how we think, process information, and decide what to trust.
The good news? Once you understand these traits, it becomes easier to recognize when you’re being influenced by misinformation—and take steps to protect yourself.
Here are seven psychological traits that make people more susceptible to online misinformation and fake news.
1) A tendency to trust information that confirms existing beliefs
We all like to think we’re open-minded, but the truth is, most of us naturally gravitate toward information that supports what we already believe.
This is called confirmation bias, and it’s one of the biggest reasons people fall for misinformation and fake news.
When we come across something that aligns with our opinions or worldview, we’re more likely to accept it as fact—without questioning its accuracy.
On the other hand, if we see information that contradicts our beliefs, we tend to dismiss it, even if it’s true.
Fake news creators take advantage of this by crafting stories that reinforce what people want to believe. And when emotions get involved, it becomes even harder to separate fact from fiction.
Being aware of confirmation bias doesn’t mean you have to change your opinions—it just means taking a step back and asking yourself: Am I believing this because it’s true, or because it fits what I already think?
2) Relying on emotions over critical thinking
I’ll admit it—there have been times when I’ve believed a story just because it felt true.
I remember once seeing a news article on social media about a topic I cared deeply about. The headline made me angry, and without thinking twice, I shared it.
It wasn’t until later that I realized the story was misleading, and some of the details weren’t even true.
That’s the problem with emotional reasoning. When something triggers a strong reaction—whether it’s anger, fear, or even hope—we’re less likely to stop and question it.
Instead of analyzing the facts, we let our emotions take over, making us more vulnerable to misinformation.
Fake news often plays on emotions because it works. It’s designed to make us react first and think later.
But if we can recognize when our emotions are being manipulated, we can take a step back and ask: Am I reacting emotionally, or is this actually true?
3) Overestimating how much they know
Some people are more confident in their knowledge than they should be. And ironically, the less they know, the more confident they tend to be.
This is known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, a psychological phenomenon where people with low expertise in a subject overestimate their understanding of it.
When someone believes they already have all the answers, they’re less likely to fact-check or consider other perspectives.
Misinformation thrives on this. Fake news often presents simple, clear-cut explanations for complex issues, making people feel like they’ve uncovered a hidden truth that others have missed.
And once someone feels certain about something—even if it’s wrong—it’s hard to convince them otherwise.
A good way to avoid this trap is to always stay curious and question what you think you know. The more you learn, the more you realize how much there is left to understand.
4) Placing too much trust in authority figures
People tend to trust information that comes from authoritative sources—but sometimes, that trust is misplaced.
Just because someone has a title, a large following, or speaks with confidence doesn’t mean they’re always right.
Politicians, media personalities, and so-called experts have all been known to spread misinformation, whether intentionally or not.
But when people assume that authority equals truth, they’re less likely to question the information being presented.
This is called the authority bias, and it can be dangerous when it stops people from thinking critically.
Of course, experts and leaders can provide valuable insight, but blindly accepting everything they say without verification makes it easier for misinformation to spread.
A better approach? Always consider the source, but don’t stop there—look for supporting evidence from multiple reliable sources before accepting something as fact.
5) Feeling overwhelmed by too much information
Sometimes, there’s just too much to process.
Between nonstop news cycles, social media updates, and conflicting reports, it can feel impossible to keep up.
And when there’s too much information coming in at once, the brain looks for shortcuts—gravitating toward the simplest explanation or the loudest voices. That’s when misinformation finds its way in.
Instead of carefully analyzing sources or digging deeper, people may latch onto whatever feels easiest to understand or most familiar.
With so many different versions of the truth floating around, distinguishing between fact and fiction becomes exhausting.
The key isn’t to consume more information—it’s to be intentional about where it comes from.
Slowing down, verifying sources, and stepping away from the noise can make all the difference in seeing things more clearly.
6) Valuing personal experiences over data
People tend to trust their own experiences—or the experiences of those around them—more than statistics or research.
If someone personally knows a person who had a bad reaction to a vaccine, for example, they may believe vaccines are dangerous, even if overwhelming scientific evidence says otherwise.
This is because anecdotal evidence feels more real and immediate than abstract numbers, even when the data tells a different story.
Misinformation often takes advantage of this by sharing emotionally compelling stories that override logical reasoning.
A single dramatic example can feel more convincing than a well-supported study, even if that study is based on thousands of cases.
While personal experiences matter, they don’t always reflect the bigger picture. Taking a step back and looking at broader trends can help separate isolated incidents from actual patterns.
7) Not questioning what aligns with their identity
People don’t just believe information because it’s true—they believe it because it fits who they are.
Political views, religious beliefs, cultural background—these all shape how someone sees the world. When a piece of information reinforces their identity, they accept it easily.
But when something challenges it, they reject it without a second thought.
Misinformation spreads so easily because it tells people what they want to hear. It doesn’t ask them to change their minds or reconsider their beliefs—it simply confirms what they already feel to be true.
When believing something becomes part of who they are, letting go of it isn’t just about facts—it feels personal.
The hardest thing to do is question the ideas that feel most comfortable. But that’s also where the truth usually hides.
Bottom line: The mind seeks certainty
The human brain craves certainty—it’s wired to find patterns, make quick judgments, and create a sense of order in a chaotic world.
But sometimes, that need for certainty leads people to believe things that aren’t true.
Misinformation and fake news thrive on this instinct, offering simple explanations for complex issues, reinforcing existing beliefs, and playing on emotions.
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman describes two ways the brain processes information: fast thinking and slow thinking. Fast thinking is automatic and intuitive—it helps us make quick decisions but is also prone to bias and error. Slow thinking, on the other hand, is deliberate and analytical—but it takes effort.
Falling for misinformation isn’t a sign of low intelligence; it’s often just fast thinking taking over. The challenge is learning when to slow down, ask questions, and embrace uncertainty instead of rushing toward easy answers.
