#576: The Social Psychology of Health Beliefs and Misinformation – Matthew Facciani, PhD

#576: The Social Psychology of Health Beliefs and Misinformation – Matthew Facciani, PhD

Author: Danny Lennon September 9, 2025 Duration: 53:52

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Facciani explores how social psychology influences health beliefs and the spread of misinformation. The conversation delves into why people adopt certain nutrition or health beliefs so strongly, how identity and group membership shape our interpretation of evidence, and what makes us susceptible to false or misleading health claims.

Dr. Facciani's interdisciplinary background (spanning neuroscience, psychology, and sociology) allows him to offer a unique evidence-informed perspective on these issues. The episode centers on understanding the social forces behind health-related attitudes and how we might improve communication and critical thinking in the face of rampant misinformation.

This topic is highly relevant for health professionals and researchers because misinformation about nutrition, health, and medicine can lead to poor decisions, vaccine hesitancy, or harmful fad diets. By understanding the psychological drivers that cause people to cling to unscientific beliefs, practitioners can better address patients' concerns and correct false claims.

Matthew Facciani is a postdoctoral researcher at The University of Notre Dame in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. He is an interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in neuroscience and psychology and holds a PhD in sociology. His research focuses on media literacy, misinformation, social networks, political polarization, identities, and artificial intelligence.

Timestamps

  • [01:41] Interview start
  • [06:57] The role of identities in belief formation
  • [16:01] Health attitudes and political identities
  • [25:28] Improving dialogue and addressing misinformation
  • [31:59] Does fact-checking work?
  • [35:41] Media literacy and pre-bunking
  • [44:03] Optimism and pessimism for the future
  • [52:28] Key ideas segment (premium-only)

Related Resources


Sigma Nutrition Radio, hosted by nutrition scientist Danny Lennon, moves beyond the noise of diet trends and simplistic advice to explore the complex, fascinating world of human nutrition. This is a space for deep, evidence-based conversations that acknowledge the nuance and often contradictory nature of scientific research. Each episode delves into a specific topic within health, fitness, or dietetics, breaking down the underlying physiology, examining the latest studies, and discussing practical implications with expert guests. The goal isn't to hand out rigid meal plans but to cultivate the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the ever-changing landscape of nutritional science. You'll hear detailed analyses of how research is conducted, thoughtful debates on contentious issues, and explorations of how evidence translates-or doesn't-into real-world recommendations for different individuals. Tuning into this podcast means committing to a more sophisticated understanding of how food, movement, and metabolism interact, leaving you better equipped to make informed decisions about your own health and skepticism towards the next big headline. Danny’s approach is both rigorous and accessible, making even the most detailed biochemical pathways relevant to everyday life. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the real story behind a nutrition claim and values substance over soundbites.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Sigma Nutrition Radio
Podcast Episodes
#591: Maintaining Functional Capacity with Age – Brendan Egan, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:31
Maintaining the ability to carry out everyday tasks and live independently is often described as a cornerstone of healthy ageing. But what actually happens to muscle strength, power, and functional ability as we get olde…
#590: Is the Nutrient Density of Crops Declining? – Edward Joy, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:09
Nutrient density refers to the concentration of vitamins and minerals in crops relative to their yield. There are widespread claims that today's fruits, vegetables, and grains contain fewer micronutrients than in decades…
Does Processing Really Make Food Unhealthy? (SNP47) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:53
This is a Premium-exclusive episode of the podcast. To listen to the full episode you need to be subscribed to Sigma Nutrition Premium. Recently we (Danny Lennon & Alan Flanagan) were invited to 'Processing the Evidence'…
#589: Causal Inference in Nutrition Science – Daniel Ibsen, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:24
This episode explores how asking better questions and using stronger methods can resolve much of the confusion in nutrition science. Dr. Daniel Ibsen discusses why nutrition research often produces conflicting results an…
#586: The Manufactured Collapse of Expertise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:20
Never before has there been greater access to information about nutrition and health. But never before has there been such a low barrier to being seen as an "expert". There are large numbers of people getting information…