As humans, we might not agree on a lot of things. However, due to our hyperconnectivity in a 24–7–365 news cycle world, the rapid rate of political disinformation has reached unprecedented levels. From social media echo chambers to partisan media outlets, the psychology of political groupthink shapes public discourse and influences beliefs and outcomes. Cognitive biases, the mental shortcuts that affect how we process information and form beliefs, are at the heart of this urgent issue.

“A new normal is establishing itself in which an undeclared or invisible war is fought entirely through algorithms, narratives, and manipulated media.” — Roger Spitz, Futurist

Cognitive Bias and Political Groupthink

Groupthink occurs when group members conform to a prevailing opinion, often without critically evaluating alternative viewpoints. In the political sphere, groupthink is amplified by our cognitive biases — resulting in systematic errors in thinking that influence judgment. One of the biggest culprits is confirmation bias, where we seek information that aligns with our beliefs and dismiss the conflicting data regardless of its truthfulness.

Belief Perseverance is another psychological factor where we cling to our beliefs — even after they’ve been proven false. Belief perseverance can lead us to the sustained spread of misinformation, particularly when we are emotionally or ideologically invested in our political viewpoints.

There has been a surge of politically motivated Infowars — the deliberate spreading of disinformation to manipulate public opinion — capitalizes on these biases. Political actors and media outlets exploit cognitive biases by crafting narratives that tap into groupthink, cementing polarized ideologies. The result? A deeply divided society, where critical thinking is suppressed, and facts become increasingly irrelevant.

Immunizing Ourselves from Political Groupthink and Info Warfare:

• Awareness of biases: Acknowledging our own cognitive biases, like confirmation bias. Recognizing that we all have blind spots can help us approach new information more openly and critically.
• Diversify media sources: Don’t rely on a single news outlet, especially if it contradicts one political ideology. Exposure to different perspectives, even those we disagree with, helps us to glean a fuller picture of the truth. Getting information from multiple data sources fosters open-mindedness and a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues.
• Fact check sharing: Always check the credibility of a source before sharing information. Look for established, fact-checked outlets and cross-reference stories with multiple reputable sources.
• Engage in healthy skepticism: Don’t believe everything at face value. Question headlines that seem too sensational and dig deeper to uncover the full context of a story.
• Preemptive data management. Learn about common misinformation tactics and pre/debunking strategies beforehand. Learn to recognize the viral methods used in the media to spread lousy information to help us acknowledge and inoculate ourselves against nonsense.

By understanding the weaponization of psychological mechanisms behind political groupthink, we can equip ourselves, as independent thinkers, to better navigate the murky waters of political discourse and disinformation.

Sovereign Thinking Prevents Herd Mentality

Critical thinking, logic, and accountability are essential qualities for the health of any relationship, community, and democracy.

The capacity to rise above collective pressure and misinformation is crucial in navigating the psychology of political groupthink, cognitive biases, and misinformation.

Falling prey to groupthink mentality renders us to sheep-like behavior. A herd-like mentality promotes political beliefs often shaped by cognitive bias rather than common sense. Civil discourse, reality testing, and truth-seeking are what will propel us forward productively. Democracy thrives when diverse opinions and critical thinking have value in society. By fostering sovereign thinking, we are empowered to question the myriad of narratives we may encounter, challenge disinformation, and contribute to a more robust, informed democracy.

Like what you’re reading? Want more consciously prepared brain food?

Listen to this Harvesting Happiness episode: The Psychology of Political Groupthink: Cognitive Bias, Belief, and Infowar with Stephan Lewandowsky PhD, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide to Restoring Common Sense and Sanity in a Crazy World — produced in collaboration with renowned, fair-minded subject matter experts who provide strategies that enhance critical thinking, increase civic engagement, and foster healthy pleasure to boost personal well-being and relationship satisfaction.

Take an even deeper dive with More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness on Substack and Medium.

GUEST BIO: Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, PhD, is a cognitive scientist at the University of Bristol, UK. His research focuses on human memory, decision-making, and how misinformation affects public beliefs and behaviors. Stephan’s work primarily explores how false information spreads, why people believe in conspiracy theories, and how to debunk misinformation effectively.

Professor Lewandosdky has published hundreds of scholarly articles, chapters, and books and is often cited for his subject matter expertise. His research regularly appears in journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Nature Communications, and Psychological Review.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.