University of Memphis psychologist Rick Dale used a Nintendo Wii in an experiment to show that the human brain is wired to believe before it doubts. I don't think this is a new finding. It makes sense that the brain has to assume all incoming info is true, in case a quick reaction is needed. For instance, it wouldn't be wise to stand around debating with yourself whether the tiger leaping out of the jungle is real or fake. Doubt, therefore, takes second place in the brain's hierarchy of information processing. Which is one reason (among others) why people fall for hoaxes.
The particular design of Dale's experiment (via
Silicon Republic):
Participants in the experiment used the Wiimote to answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to questions such as ‘Can a kangaroo walk backwards?’ The results showed that it took longer for participants to decide that a statement was false, rather than true.
In many cases, the cursor travelled first toward the yes, and then curved over to no.
For the researchers, this indicated two things. Firstly, the body was in motion before the cognitive processing was completed.
Secondly, the participants really wanted to believe most of the statements were true, even though they decided quickly that some of them were not.
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And now you know The Rest Of The Story.
As Twain said "If it sounds good, it isn't true."