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The practice of counseling psychology encompasses a broad range of culturally sensitive practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises and increase their ability to function better in their lives. With its attention both to normal developmental issues and problems associated with physical, emotional and mental disorders, the specialization holds a unique perspective in the broader practice-based areas of psychology. While both counseling and clinical psychologists practice psychotherapy, counseling psychology differs from clinical in that its practitioners tend to focus on overall well-being across the lifespan, compared to clinical clients who often are experiencing more severe symptoms of mental illness.

Americans share fake news to fit in with social circles

  • Journalism and Facts
  • Social Media and Internet
  • Politics

Fear of exclusion contributes to spread of fake news, research finds

Read the journal article

  • Tribalism and Tribulations (PDF, 495KB)

WASHINGTON — Both conservative and liberal Americans share fake news because they don’t want to be ostracized from their social circles, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

“Conformity and social pressure are key motivators of the spread of fake news,” said lead researcher Matthew Asher Lawson, PhD, an assistant professor of decision sciences at INSEAD, a business school in France. “If someone in your online tribe is sharing fake news, then you feel pressure to share it as well, even if you don’t know whether it’s false or true.”

The research was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

The proliferation of fake news contributes to increasing political polarization and distrust of democratic institutions, according to the Brookings Institution. But fake news doesn’t always proliferate due to dark motives or a call for action. The researchers began studying the issue after noticing people in their own social networks sharing fake news seemingly without malicious intent or ideological purpose.

“Political ideology alone doesn’t explain people’s tendency to share fake news within their social groups,” Lawson said. “There are many factors at play, including the very basic desire to fit in and not to be excluded.”

One experiment analyzed the tweets and political ideology of more than 50,000 pairs of Twitter users in the U.S., including tweets sharing fake or hyper-partisan news between August and December 2020. (Political ideology was determined through a network-based algorithm that imputes ideology by looking at the types of accounts Twitter users follow.) The number of tweets between pairs of Twitter users in the same social circles were measured. Twitter users were less likely to interact with each other over time if one of them shared a fake news story and the other did not share that same story. The same effect was found regardless of political ideology but was stronger for more right-leaning participants.

A second experiment analyzed 10,000 Twitter users who had shared fake news in the prior test, along with another group that was representative of Twitter users in general. Twitter users who had shared fake news were more likely to exclude other users who didn’t share the same content, suggesting that social pressures may be particularly acute in the fake news ecosystem.

Across several additional online experiments, participants indicated a reduced desire to interact with social connections who failed to share the same fake news. Participants who were more concerned about the social costs of not fitting in were also more likely to share fake news.

While fake news may seem prolific, prior research has found that fake news only accounts for 0.15% of Americans’ daily media consumption, and 1% of individuals are responsible for 80% of fake news sharing. Other research found that election-related misinformation on Twitter decreased by 73% after Donald Trump was banned from the platform.

Many complex factors contribute to people’s decisions to share fake news so reducing its spread is difficult, and the role of social media companies isn’t always clear, Lawson said.

“Pre-bunking” methods that inform people about the ways that misinformation spreads and highlighting the importance of the accuracy of news can help reduce the spread of fake news. However, finding ways to ease the social pressure to conform in online spaces may be needed to start winning the war on misinformation, Lawson said.

Article: “Tribalism and Tribulations: The Social Costs of Not Sharing Fake News,” Matthew Asher Lawson, PhD, INSEAD, Shikhar Anand, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and Hemant Kakkar, PhD, Duke University, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, published online March 9, 2023.

Sweating is a natural process that helps regulate body temperature and release toxins from the body. It is normal for our feet to sweat, especially when we are active or in hot environments. However, excessive foot sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.

The main causes of excessive foot sweating include genetics, stress, certain medical conditions, and certain medications. People with hyperhidrosis may experience discomfort, odor, and skin irritation, which can lead to social anxiety and decreased quality of life.

Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce foot sweating and manage hyperhidrosis. Here are some tips:

  1. Practice good foot hygiene: Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly. Use foot powder to help absorb moisture and reduce odor.

  2. Wear breathable shoes and socks: Choose shoes made from breathable materials such as leather or canvas, and wear moisture-wicking socks to help keep your feet dry.

  3. Use antiperspirant: Apply antiperspirant to the soles of your feet before bed. Antiperspirant helps block sweat glands and reduce excessive sweating.

  4. Soak your feet in tea: Soak your feet in black tea for 30 minutes a day. Black tea contains tannic acid, which helps to reduce sweat production.

  5. Consider medical treatment: If home remedies are not effective, consult with a healthcare professional. They may recommend prescription antiperspirants or other medical treatments such as Botox injections or iontophoresis therapy.

In summary, excessive foot sweating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it is usually not a serious health concern. By practicing good foot hygiene, wearing breathable shoes and socks, using antiperspirant, soaking your feet in tea, and considering medical treatment, you can reduce foot sweating and manage hyperhidrosis.