The party game Telephone subjected to research and peer review

[thewayne]

The game goes by various names, we'll just refer to it as Telephone. In this game, you get everyone in the party arrayed in a circle or line, and you whisper a simple secret in the first person's ear. They then whisper that secret in the next person's ear, and so on, until everyone has heard and repeated it. What you get out of the far side is something totally different than what started. I have no idea what you might end up with it you started the phrase 'The Pope is Jewish and from Venus', it'd be amusing.

Researchers took that concept and had people write stories and pass them down, and noticed that bias was applied along the way. They ultimately found that "...the more often a tale gets repeated, the more skewed it becomes, with each new version distorting the facts a bit more.

As a result, one of the parties involved—the one the storyteller and listener inherently identify with—is increasingly portrayed in a more favorable light. Within just a few tellings, an ambiguous event is transformed into a clear-cut case of “our side” being wronged."

This explains a little bit about the conservative and tea party movements and misinformation.

http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/game-telephone-way-hear-enemies-blame-80301/

Comments

[silveradept]

It does, as well as the echo chamber's ability to magnify the distortions of reality in such a short time.

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

At least it's a good demonstration of how bias can creep in, could be an effective teaching tool and help warn people to help them try to avoid their own biases.

I loved a line in my library science readings from last semester: A librarian has no religion, no political party, no opinion. At least while working.

[silveradept]

It's very true - while working, we strive to give the most accurate and unbiased information possible. When not working, you can hear what we think, but drinks will likely have to be involved.