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A few days after the passage of the meteorological depression in Valencia, the scars of destruction remain: ravaged landscapes, cities under tension and a population in search of answers. This disaster, beyond its material damage, revealed another flaw: that of disinformation, amplified by social networks, where truncated truths and viral rumors mix.
In such emergency situations, the thirst for understanding naturally drives citizens to seek answers. However, the information that circulates – often inaccurate – feeds collective anxiety and contributes to further blurring the lines. “The human brain, although remarkable, tends to simplify and avoid uncertainty, which makes it vulnerable to false information”explains María Fernández-López, researcher in cognitive science at the University of Valencia. This bias, called “need closure”pushes the individual to reassure themselves in the face of the unknown, sometimes at the cost of the veracity of the facts.
Studies in cognitive psychology show that emotion plays a major role in the way we process information. When a message arouses fear, surprise or indignation, our brain tends to consider it credible, even if it means omitting rigorous verification. This process relies on what experts call “dual processing pathways,” rapid, emotional analysis first, followed, only if necessary, by critical examination.
When social networks fuel the rumor
In this context, social networks prove to be particularly harmful. The speed with which information circulates increases the likelihood of hasty reactions. In a few hours after the storm, false information on the human toll and forecasts from the Spanish meteorological agency (AEMET) flooded the platforms. This wave of misinformation, combined with anxiety, has prompted internet users to share without restraint, creating a loop of collective confusion.
Another phenomenon, known as “confirmation bias”reinforces this process. This bias pushes us to favor information that supports our beliefs, even if they are erroneous, and to reject that which opposes them. Social networks, by creating “echo chambers” favored by their algorithms, only accentuated this trend, making false news more plausible through the mass effect.
Thinking before sharing: a crucial challenge
If the storm of disinformation that followed the floods left one lesson, it is that of the importance of critical perspective. Taking the time to question our own emotional reactions and verify the reliability of the information received, even in a crisis situation, is an act of responsibility. Cultivating this vigilance also means preserving the integrity of the solidarity that emerged in response to the storm’s damage.
By relying on the “need closure” and by refusing the ease of emotion, everyone can contribute to building a more resilient society, capable of resisting the manipulations and anxieties generated by uncertainty.
Read also: Prevention is better than death: the lesson of Valencia
