Research from the Ruhr University Bochum has demonstrated that the information individuals actively select online significantly shapes their beliefs, often more so than information encountered passively. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General on January 24, 2026, reveals that simply clicking on a headline can enhance the perceived truthfulness of the information encountered later.
Dr. Moritz Ingendahl and his team from the university’s Social Cognition Lab conducted a series of eight online experiments involving nearly 1,000 participants. The subjects were presented with statements such as, “The bee hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world.” Participants were allowed to select which themes to explore, affecting how they later judged the truthfulness of both repeated and new information.
The researchers found a clear “truth effect,” where reiterated information was deemed more credible than new information. “We were able to see, in accordance with past studies, that the subjects gave more credence to reiterated information than to new information,” Ingendahl explained. The findings indicated that this effect was amplified when participants actively selected the information themselves, as opposed to receiving it randomly.
The Role of Active Engagement in Information Processing
This phenomenon is particularly relevant in the context of digital media, where users often curate their own information feeds. The researchers pointed out that the act of clicking on a headline not only leads to increased belief in the information but also encourages individuals to share content on social media. This behavior can significantly contribute to the spread of both accurate and inaccurate information.
Online platforms are designed to present information in a way that requires user engagement for full access. This means that users are already making choices about the information they encounter. “Actively searching for information entails more alertness and cognitive resources,” Ingendahl noted. The study revealed that participants retained self-selected information more effectively than that which was presented passively.
The implications of these findings extend to the growing issue of misinformation. The researchers suggest that the ease with which individuals can reinforce false information through repeated exposure may allow fake news to proliferate. Conversely, they also highlight the potential for fact-checking initiatives to be more effective if they are framed in a way that encourages active engagement from users.
The research underscores a critical understanding of how digital interactions shape perceptions of truth and falsehood. By recognizing the influence of self-selected information, individuals can become more aware of their media consumption habits and the cognitive biases that may affect their beliefs.
As digital landscapes continue to evolve, the insights from Dr. Ingendahl’s study offer valuable guidance for both users and those aiming to combat misinformation. Understanding the dynamics of information selection can empower individuals to make more informed decisions about the content they engage with online.
