Abstract

The article highlights the issue of the psychological impact of fakes on the individual, which is intensively increased through various mass media and especially social networks. The general research aim comprises the study of features of the psychological influence of fakes on an individual and classification of this influence. It was proven that fakes intensify the person's stress, weaken adaptive reserves, reduce efficiency, and lead to stress disorders. Numerous fake messages cause intense emotional transformation of the individual through the emotional receptivity of the message. It was found that under the influence of fakes, a person's direct participation in the information cycle through the mass media contributes to the consolidation of his behavior into certain groups. Fake information encourages fake modeling of one's own future and determines its influence on one's status in society. It was shown that human perception of emotional audiovisual narratives causes the tunnel vision. Pragmatic assumptions stimulate the individual to perceive fake information as the absolute truth, and in situations of uncertainty - to show a pronounced activity with a growing preference for information. Fakes can worsen physical and mental health, cause changes in mental processes, motivation, priorities and affect interaction in the society. That is why, the knowledge of features of the psychological impact of fakes on an individual will help understand the need to analyze information content, search, critically select and test messages to maintain one’s mental health.