American Psychological Association (APA) Spreads Misinformation with New Children’s Book on Misinformation

Mon Sep 23 14:11:34 UTC 2024: ## APA’s New Children’s Book Accused of Spreading Disinformation

The American Psychological Association (APA), known for its past involvement with the CIA in justifying torture, has released a new children’s book titled “True or False? The Science of Perception, Misinformation, and Disinformation”. The book, aimed at pre-bunking conspiracy theories, has come under fire for allegedly promoting misinformation itself.

Critics argue that the book presents a distorted view of scientific inquiry, downplaying the importance of questioning authority and promoting blind trust in institutions. For instance, the book portrays skepticism about climate change as irrational while portraying media gatekeepers as trustworthy sources of information.

The book also faces criticism for its portrayal of racism and gender, suggesting that only minority groups experience stereotypes and overlooking biological factors in explaining gender differences in sports participation.

Furthermore, the book singles out Russia as the sole perpetrator of disinformation, ignoring the role of other nations and even prominent figures like Hillary Clinton who have been accused of spreading misinformation.

The book’s recommendations, including directing children to government-funded online games like “Bad News” and the YouTube channel of John Cook, have also been met with skepticism, with critics arguing that these platforms perpetuate a narrative that demonizes dissent and critical thinking.

The APA’s book, which dedicates several pages to vilifying “conspiracy theories”, has been accused of dismissing valid concerns and undermining the importance of questioning authority. Critics point to the APA’s own history of engaging in misinformation, referencing their past collaboration with the CIA on torture.

The release of this book has sparked a debate about the role of institutions in shaping children’s understanding of the world and the importance of fostering critical thinking skills, particularly in an era of widespread misinformation.

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