MEDIA

When reading the article based on media and information that the public receives, I noticed many forms of information bias that I had learned my Freshman year here at JMU. To me the bandwagon effect is one of the most common forms of information bias. If people hear their friends, or other's who are important to them ranting and raving about something, they are more reluctant to jump on and agree with everythign they say. The confirmation bias is one that I also find to be quite familiar in that many people, when arguing with another person, always resort to some sort of information to back up their claims. Another form is the base rate fallacy which I feel is pretty common. People, in regards to base rate, think that their experiences over rule the facts and figures that have been studied for years preceding. Each person who experiences something experiences something that is entirely unique. The result can be similar to what was researched, but the factors leading up the to result can be quite different. Finally, cognitive dissonance is basically based on teh fact that if it proves you wrong, you disprove of it. People cannot stand being wrong and think it is only their way, when other facts are presented that disprove them, they disregard it immediately.

In one particular situation, I used the bandwagon effect in regards to the situation pertaining towards President Bush some years ago. I had no clue what was going on, but everyone else was not approving of his actions, so I jumped on and agreed. I know now that this was wrong, but I can still say that I shamefully took part and jumped on the Bandwagon.

Finally, I think that a Department of Information would be a good idea. I know there are a lot of provisions that would have to be made in order for it to be effective, but I think that if the government really cared about honest news and the truth, time would not be a problem to make this effective and put it into motion.