Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
09:27
Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language
Published on: October 13, 2018
10.2K
Testing the fluency account for truth judgments
Daniel G Derksen1, Deborah A Connolly1, Daniel M Bernstein2
1Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University.
Summary
Related photos and audio increase processing speed and belief in claims, supporting the fluency account of truthiness. This effect was observed across different media types, enhancing claim familiarity and perceived truth.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Media Psychology
Background:
- Truthiness describes the tendency to believe claims more when paired with related, non-probative information, often images.
- The fluency account suggests that processing ease (fluency) with media cues familiarity and perceived truth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the fluency account of truthiness by measuring response times as an indicator of processing fluency.
- To investigate how different media types (photos, audio) influence truthiness and processing speed.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted, manipulating media presence (photo, audio, photo+audio) and claim proportions.
- Response time was used as a key metric to assess processing fluency.
- Participants rated the truthfulness of claims presented with varying media.
Main Results:
- Photo-present claims were processed faster than photo-absent claims, but the manipulation did not affect truthiness in Experiment 1.
- Experiment 2A found no significant difference in truthiness across photo, audio, and combined media, though audio and combined media showed faster response times.
- Experiment 2B confirmed that both audio and photos similarly enhance claim processing speed and increase belief.
Conclusions:
- Related visual and auditory information enhance cognitive processing fluency, leading to increased belief in claims.
- The findings support the fluency account, demonstrating that both photos and audio can increase the speed of claim evaluation and perceived truth.
- Media's role in cognitive processing extends beyond visual stimuli, with audio also significantly impacting truthiness.
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