How we form our opinion

In this part of the course, the participants should gain an understanding of how information that reaches them via the internet is already filtered or deliberately scattered. It is important that the participants get to know the basic mechanisms. A deepening can be done in combination with other CUMILA modules. 


What they should know: 

How we form our opinions


  • They should know and be able to communicate the mechanisms of algorithms, especially in the field of social media. 
  • They should know the basic principles of the following topics and be able to convey them to the participants:
    • Social bots
    • Opinion making through influencers
    • Opinion making through trolls
    • They should be able to explain the topic of fakenews and related terms: 
    • "False Balance" 
  • The difference between correlation and causality


Types of false information

  • Chain letters and hoaxes
  • Accidental / unconscious false news (unintentional)
  • Disinformation & classic fake news (deliberate spreading of misinformation)
  • agitation
  • Conspiracy theories 


Information on this: 

  • Chapter 3.1 How we form our opinions in the module Information Search & Opinion Formation.
  • CUMILA Wiki Exercise c3L01 - User View of the World 
  • CUMILA Wiki Exercise c3L02 - Media Bias and Interpretation
  • CUMILA Wiki Exercise c3L03 - Image manipulation
  • CUMILA Wiki Exercise c3L04 - About filter bubbles and social bots
  • CUMILA Wiki Exercise c3L05 - Recognising Fake News


Read the relevant chapters in the module and, if necessary, work on the exercises mentioned yourself or prepare them for your lessons.