Explaining the psychological phenomena behind individuals who continuously tune into mainstream media, despite perceiving it as providing false or misleading information, is a complex matter and can involve multiple factors. It is essential to recognize that individual behavior and motivations are diverse, and not everyone who consumes mainstream media holds the same beliefs or experiences the same psychological phenomena. That being said, there are some psychological aspects that could contribute to this behavior:
Confirmation Bias: Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or opinions while ignoring or downplaying contradictory evidence. People who perceive mainstream media as lying might actively seek out sources that reinforce their existing views or avoid sources that challenge their beliefs.
Cognitive Dissonance: Cognitive dissonance occurs when there is a conflict between a person's beliefs and new information that challenges those beliefs. To reduce this discomfort, individuals may reject the conflicting information and cling to their original beliefs, even if they suspect that mainstream media is being untruthful.
Belief Preservation: People have a natural inclination to maintain their existing beliefs and worldviews. Challenging these beliefs can be psychologically uncomfortable and threatening. As a result, individuals may stick to consuming media that aligns with their preconceived notions, even if they recognize its potential biases.
Social Identity and Group Affiliation: People often align themselves with specific social or political groups that share similar values and beliefs. Consuming media that aligns with the group's perspective can strengthen their sense of belonging and identity, even if the media's accuracy is questionable.
Trusted Authority: Many individuals rely on established media outlets as trusted authorities and believe that these sources provide accurate information overall, despite occasional errors or bias.
Selective Exposure: Selective exposure refers to the tendency to choose media and information sources that align with one's existing views. People who feel that mainstream media lies may actively avoid these outlets, but they might not perceive alternative media sources as any more reliable.
Emotional Appeals: Some mainstream media might use emotional appeals, sensationalism, or fear-mongering to capture and maintain viewers' attention. These emotional responses can cloud critical judgment and make individuals more susceptible to manipulation.
Regarding the comparison to Stockholm Syndrome, it's important to note that Stockholm Syndrome typically refers to a psychological phenomenon in which hostages or abuse victims develop positive feelings or empathy towards their captors or abusers. Applying this term to the relationship between media consumers and mainstream media may not be entirely appropriate, as media consumption is generally a voluntary act, and the dynamics involved are different from those in hostage situations.
As for wishful thinking, it can indeed play a role in how individuals interpret information from media sources. People might hope that the information they consume aligns with their desires or the world they wish to see, even if it is not entirely accurate.
It's crucial to approach this topic with nuance and avoid generalizations. People's media consumption habits and beliefs are shaped by a wide range of psychological, social, and cultural factors, and understanding this complexity is vital to promoting media literacy and critical thinking. Encouraging diverse media consumption, fact-checking, and open dialogue can all contribute to a more informed and discerning society.