The interplay between verbal and visual information: How repetition and photos influence belief

Abstract

Numerous research studies have shown that repeated statements are perceived as more true than new statements, a phenomenon known as the illusory-truth effect. In addition to repetition, photos also influence truth. When statements are presented with semantically related and unrelated photos, perceived truth increases and decreases, respectively. The related condition is known as the truthiness effect, whereas the unrelated condition is referred as the falsiness effect. Both of the repetition and photo effects are attributed to the ease of processing (fluency). We tested whether repeating statements with different types of photos would amplify or reduce the effects of repetition (interaction effect). Across two studies (total N = 352), participants rated the truth of trivia statements (Exp 1) and political headlines (Exp 2), in which they were presented with a related, unrelated, or no photo. Repetition increased perceived truth, but the photos did not influence the truth ratings. Critically, repeating the statements with related and unrelated photos did not make them more or less believable.