Cornell Method
Topic: Why People Fall for Misinformation Video: Isaac, J. (2020) Date: July 14, 2026
Recall column
The tongue map
Notes column
David Hanig (1901) research on taste thresholds.
Divided tongue into areas (sweet, bitter, salt, sour).
The error
Map is wrong; sensitivities vary slightly, but all tastes are felt
everywhere.
Disinfo vs.
Disinformation: Intentional lies.
misinfo
Misinformation: Unintentional inaccuracy/human error.
Three culprits
1. Language: Original paper was in German; “telephone” effect in
translation.
2. Images: 1912 simplified map labels became “purported truth” in
textbooks.
3. Simplicity: Humans prefer clear stories over “messy” science.
Summary: Misconceptions like the tongue map thrive because of a “game of telephone” in
academia, oversimplified visual aids, and a human preference for simple narratives over
complex scientific truths