There is a common belief in our society that false propaganda mainly ensnares the uneducated. However, contemporary global research and psychological analysis suggest that this assumption is far from accurate. The reality is that educated people are also frequently affected by false propaganda—and in many cases, they are targeted by propaganda that is more subtle, complex, and deeply layered.
Psychologists do not regard this as unusual. On the contrary, they argue that it stems from natural vulnerabilities within human thinking processes, emotional responses, and social behaviour. Let us examine these factors more closely.
How the Trap Is Set
1. Education Does Not Automatically Mean Critical Thinking
In many instances, our education systems train individuals to memorise information rather than to verify facts, ask questions, or engage in reasoned analysis. As a result, even those with degrees, titles, or academic success may accept false information without scrutiny.
2. Firm Beliefs and Ideological Bias
People tend to accept information that reinforces their existing beliefs, political positions, or ideological identities. In psychology, this is known as confirmation bias. Propaganda architects exploit this weakness with remarkable skill.
3. When Emotion Is Triggered, Reason Weakens
Emotions such as religion, patriotism, ethnic identity, fear, humiliation, or hatred can overpower rational thinking—even among the educated. Propaganda deliberately targets emotion rather than logic, because emotion pushes people to make rapid, unexamined decisions.
4. The Disguise of Credibility
False information often presents itself through the language of “experts”, “doctors”, “foreign research”, “international media”, or quotations from familiar public figures. Educated audiences may feel reassured by such sources, yet fail to verify their authenticity or context.
5. Fatigue from Information Overload
In today’s world, people are confronted with an overwhelming volume of information every day. Many simply lack the time or mental energy to verify everything. Consequently, simplified explanations, sensational narratives, or neat conclusions are often accepted as truth.
6. Group Identity and Social Pressure
When friends, colleagues, or preferred political or ideological groups adopt a particular belief, educated individuals may hesitate to disagree. Fear of social exclusion can easily override rational judgement.
7. The Trap of Overconfidence
The belief that “I am educated, so I cannot be misled” is itself one of the greatest vulnerabilities. This overconfidence discourages self-questioning and makes people more susceptible to deception.
8. Modern Propaganda Is Now Science-Based
Contemporary propaganda is no longer limited to slogans or posters. It is driven by psychology, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and algorithms designed to target human fears, interests, and weaknesses. Ordinary education alone is often insufficient to resist it.
So, What Is the Way Forward?
There is no simple formula for complete immunity from propaganda, but certain habits can offer significant protection:
- Cultivating the habit of reading viewpoints that challenge one’s own beliefs
- Resisting the urge to react or share immediately when encountering emotionally charged news
- Verifying information through multiple independent and reliable sources
- Asking oneself: “Why is this information trying to make me believe this?”
- Paying attention to the source, timing, context, and underlying motive of any claim
The most important truth to remember is this:
Falling for propaganda is not a sign of intellectual deficiency; it is a consequence of human vulnerability.
Recognising this vulnerability, continuously questioning one’s own thinking, and practising conscious self-criticism remain the most powerful defences against propaganda.
ABM Zakirul Haq Titon
Editor