Searching for Smarts

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Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) — A Yale University study of more than 1,000 students showed students who actively used search engines were more confidence in their knowledge.

“I would say it does…”, says Mississippi State University senior Gabrielle Wuisian, “…I feel like I’m more informed about the topic then…just trying to find it at a library…”

“Google can sort of be an extension of your memory…”, says cognitive science research assistant at M.S.U. Alexis Jones, “…people might already think that, ‘oh, well, I have all this information there that’s just at the touch of my keyboard, I can look it up and find it’.”

The study also says relying on google can affect critical thinking and decisions, such as political ideas.

Jones warns internet users to be careful when digging through the internet due to all the false information that is spread.

Jones said relying solely on search engines for information could eliminate thought processes that would help sift through inaccurate information.

While many students agreed that Google can be a helpful study tool, M.S.U. student Lakia Clark worries about the negative effects of “just googling it”.

“…I feel like it’s making us dumber…”, said Clark, “…people don’t have to know things…I feel like it is just making us less smart as a society.”