True or False? - by Jacqueline B Toner (Hardcover)

About the Book

True or False? explores how we think and perceive and why false beliefs, superstitions, opinions, misinformation, or wild guesses can just stick around and mess things up. Readers will see how misunderstandings and misuse of scientific findings can lead people to the wrong conclusions and will learn how to outsmart their own brain to gain critical thinking skills and find ways to identify and correct false beliefs and disinformation.

Book Synopsis

Written for pre-teens and young teens in lively text accompanied by fun facts, True or False? The Science of Perception, Misinformation, and Disinformation explores what psychology tells us about development and persistence of false perceptions and beliefs and the difficulty of correcting them, plus ways to debunk misinformation and think critically and factually about the world around us.

Our big brains are super-efficient but glitchy. Scientists estimate that 90% of what we see, hear, smell, or sense never really sinks in. Instead, we pick up on the big things, general impressions, or important stuff and end up leaving our brains to fill in the missing info. And on top of that, people sometimes twist information on purpose. False beliefs can be shared from person to person or go viral in a flash, often by people who think the info is true.

This book explores how we think and perceive and why false beliefs, superstitions, opinions, misinformation, or wild guesses can stick around and mess things up. You'll see how misunderstandings and misuse of scientific findings can lead people to the wrong conclusions. Readers learn how to outsmart their brain to gain critical thinking skills and find ways to identify and correct false beliefs and disinformation.

Review Quotes

Aims to help young people navigate online content...offers children guidance amid challenges, such as making friends and facing fears.-- "The Week Junior"

This comprehensive book explores the psychology behind misinformation, disinformation, and other distorted beliefs... addresses the negative roles that artificial intelligence and social media can play...well-written, necessary guide to navigating society's information overload.
-- "Booklist"

About the Author

Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD is a retired clinical psychologist with over 30 years in private practice working with children and parents. She earned her PhD from University of Virginia and serves as Chief Facilitator for a medical resources project with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Toner has co-authored several books with Claire A. B. Freeland, PhD including What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake;, What to Do When It's Not Fair; Psychology for Kids: The Science of Mind and Behavior; Depression: A Teen's Guide to Survive and Thrive; and Yes I Can: A Girl and Her Wheelchair. She is also the author of What to Do When the News Scares You. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Visit jacquelinetoner.net.