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The Debunking Handbook
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Thomas Prufer
Feb 2, 2012, 6:34:57 AM2/2/12
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Ever had a discussion with someone who wasn't, er, amenable to rational
argument? PPQ failed?
Abstract:
>Debunking myths is problematic. Unless great care is taken, any effort to debunk
>misinformation can inadvertently reinforce the very myths one seeks to correct. To
>avoid these “backfire effects”, an effective debunking requires three major elements.
>First, the refutation must focus on core facts rather than the myth to avoid the
>misinformation becoming more familiar. Second, any mention of a myth should be
>preceded by explicit warnings to notify the reader that the upcoming information is
>false. Finally, the refutation should include an alternative explanation that accounts
>for important qualities in the original misinformation.
Full PDF text:
<http://www.skepticalscience.com/docs/Debunking_Handbook.pdf>
Thomas Prufer
argument? PPQ failed?
Abstract:
>Debunking myths is problematic. Unless great care is taken, any effort to debunk
>misinformation can inadvertently reinforce the very myths one seeks to correct. To
>avoid these “backfire effects”, an effective debunking requires three major elements.
>First, the refutation must focus on core facts rather than the myth to avoid the
>misinformation becoming more familiar. Second, any mention of a myth should be
>preceded by explicit warnings to notify the reader that the upcoming information is
>false. Finally, the refutation should include an alternative explanation that accounts
>for important qualities in the original misinformation.
Full PDF text:
<http://www.skepticalscience.com/docs/Debunking_Handbook.pdf>
Thomas Prufer
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