Speaker to Address Psychology of Misinformation at Westminster’s Annual Colloquium

In a world saturated with information, understanding why people believe falsehoods has become increasingly important. Dr. Matthew Facciani, a Westminster College alumnus and current researcher at the University of Notre Dame, will address this critical issue during Westminster’s annual Psychology and Neuroscience Colloquium next month.

Facciani will present “The Psychology of Misinformation: How Our Social Worlds Shape What We Believe” on Thursday, November 6, at 5:30 p.m. in the Dietz Sullivan Lecture Hall at Westminster’s Hoyt Science Center in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.

The presentation will delve into the complex psychological and social factors that make people susceptible to misinformation. Drawing from his book, “Misguided: Where Misinformation Starts, How It Spreads and What to Do About It,” Facciani will explore how personal identities, social circles, and psychological processes influence our interpretation of facts and information.

“Facts alone aren’t enough to inform society,” Facciani argues in his research. His work examines how various tools, including media literacy and trust-building, can help individuals navigate today’s overwhelming information landscape.

Facciani’s interest in this subject began during his undergraduate years at Westminster College, where he majored in psychology before earning his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of South Carolina. His academic journey was shaped by early classroom experiences that demonstrated the power of social influence.

“As a psychology major at Westminster, I was fascinated to learn how easily social influence can shape what we believe to be true,” Facciani recalled. “In one class experiment, I saw how people often change their answers to a simple task after hearing someone else give the wrong response first.”

These formative educational experiences at Westminster provided the foundation for his current research focus on media literacy, misinformation, political polarization, and artificial intelligence.

Beyond his academic work, Facciani has established himself as a prominent science communicator who translates complex social science research for general audiences. His efforts to make scholarly insights accessible extend across multiple platforms, including major media outlets, national conference presentations, and his podcast, “Misguided.”

The Psychology and Neuroscience Colloquium where Facciani will speak carries significant academic weight at Westminster College. The series was established by two emeriti professors, Dr. David B. Gray and Dr. Alan G. Gittis, both of whom dedicated decades to the institution. Gray served on Westminster’s faculty from 1965 to 2003, while Gittis taught from 1976 to 2011.

This annual event serves a crucial purpose in Westminster’s academic mission, allowing undergraduates to engage with cutting-edge research and developments in psychology and neuroscience from leading scholars across the country.

Facciani’s return to his alma mater represents a full-circle moment, as he credits Westminster’s “student-centered approach” with giving him the confidence to pursue graduate studies and a research career. “The hands-on research experience I gained there provided the foundation I needed to succeed as a scientist,” he said.

As misinformation continues to challenge social cohesion and public discourse, Facciani’s research offers valuable insights into how psychological and social forces shape belief systems. His presentation promises to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of why misinformation persists despite readily available facts, and what practical steps can be taken to address this growing societal challenge.

The event is free and open to the public, offering community members an opportunity to engage with this timely and consequential topic.