Wrong

A compelling exploration of the psychological factors behind misinformation and belief.

— Library Journal

Dannagal Goldthwaite Youngs insightful book Wrong investigates the political and philosophical reasons why people rely on information that they know is false.

— Foreword Reviews

Anchored by Dannagal G. Youngs magisterial and powerful writing, Wrong lays out a social and psychological framework to help us see through our own needs-based biases, engage in reflexivity, and understand how and why we are wrong. In the process, we can hopefully reduce the incentives we provide to other actors in the process—such as media and politicians—and ultimately find our way to a less toxic political culture.

— Daniel Kreiss, University of North Carolina, author of Prototype Politics: Technology-Intensive Campaigning and the Data of Democracy

Powerful, distinctive, and utterly compelling, Wrong argues that the way we satisfy our needs for comprehension, control, and community is shaped by our social identities, which are at the core of both the supply and demand for misinformation. Because politicians and the media know this fact, they behave strategically in order to structure politics through this perspective. This book is sorely needed, and Dannagal G. Youngs argument is truly central to our understanding of todays misinformation problem.

— Jaime Settle, College of William & Mary, author of Frenemies: How Social Media Polarizes America

From one of the communication fields finest scholars, Dannagal G. Youngs Wrong is a provocative, original, must-read explanation of the ways in which our social and cultural identities affect the knowledge and behavior we endorse or spurn.  

— Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania

Dannagal G. Youngs Wrong combines a remarkable sense of empathy with vivid examples and clear arguments to offer a comprehensive look at the psychological needs and political and media forces that help make us vulnerable to misinformation.

— Brendan Nyhan, Dartmouth College

Prepare to have your mind blown as Dannagal G. Young takes on conspiracy theories, blending sharp scientific insights, clever anecdotes, and a dash of irreverence.

— Jay Van Bavel, Director, NYU Social Identity & Morality Lab and author, The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony