News credibility labels have limited average effects on news diet quality and fail to reduce misperceptions

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(18)

Published: May 6, 2022

As the primary arena for viral misinformation shifts toward transnational threats, search continues scalable countermeasures compatible with principles of transparency and free expression. We conducted a randomized field experiment evaluating impact source credibility labels embedded in users' social feeds results pages. By combining representative surveys (n = 3337) digital trace data 968) from subset respondents, we provide rare ecologically valid test such an intervention on both attitudes behavior. On average across sample, are unable to detect changes real-world consumption news low-quality sources after 3 weeks. can also rule out small effects perceived accuracy popular spread about Black Lives Matter movement coronavirus disease 2019. However, present suggestive evidence substantively meaningful increase diet quality among heaviest consumers misinformation. discuss implications our findings scholars practitioners.

Language: Английский

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Accuracy and social motivations shape judgements of (mis)information

Nature Human Behaviour, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(6), P. 892 - 903

Published: March 6, 2023

The extent to which belief in (mis)information reflects lack of knowledge versus a motivation be accurate is unclear. Here, across four experiments (n = 3,364), we motivated US participants by providing financial incentives for correct responses about the veracity true and false political news headlines. Financial improved accuracy reduced partisan bias judgements headlines 30%, primarily increasing perceived from opposing party (d 0.47). Incentivizing people identify that would liked their allies, however, decreased accuracy. Replicating prior work, conservatives were less at discerning than liberals, yet closed gap between liberals 52%. A non-financial intervention was also effective, suggesting motivation-based interventions are scalable. Altogether, these results suggest substantial portion people's motivational factors.

Language: Английский

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How to think about whether misinformation interventions work

Nature Human Behaviour, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(8), P. 1231 - 1233

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Language: Английский

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The “Need for Chaos” and Motivations to Share Hostile Political Rumors

American Political Science Review, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 117(4), P. 1486 - 1505

Published: Feb. 17, 2023

Why are some people motivated to circulate hostile political information? While prior studies have focused on partisan motivations, we demonstrate that individuals rumors because they wish unleash chaos “burn down” the entire order in hope gain status process. To understand this psychology, theorize and measure a novel psychological state, Need for Chaos, emerging an interplay of social marginalization status-oriented personalities. Across eight living United States, show need is strong predictor motivations share rumors, even after accounting can help illuminate differences commonalities frustrations both historically privileged marginalized groups. stem tide hostility media, present findings suggest real-world policy solutions needed address States.

Language: Английский

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The Misinformation Susceptibility Test (MIST): A psychometrically validated measure of news veracity discernment

Behavior Research Methods, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 56(3), P. 1863 - 1899

Published: June 29, 2023

Abstract Interest in the psychology of misinformation has exploded recent years. Despite ample research, to date there is no validated framework measure susceptibility. Therefore, we introduce V e r i f ication d o n , a nuanced interpretation schema and assessment tool that simultaneously considers eracity discernment its distinct, measurable abilities ( eal/ ake news detection ), biases istrust / aïvité —negative/positive judgment bias). We then conduct three studies with seven independent samples N total = 8504) show how develop, validate, apply Misinformation Susceptibility Test (MIST). In Study 1 409) use neural network language model generate items, psychometric methods—factor analysis, item response theory, exploratory graph analysis—to create MIST-20 (20 items; completion time < 2 minutes), MIST-16 (16 MIST-8 (8 minute). 7674) confirm internal predictive validity MIST five national quota (US, UK), across years, from different sampling platforms—Respondi, CloudResearch, Prolific. also explore MIST’s nomological net age-, region-, country-specific norm tables. 3 421) demonstrate MIST—in conjunction —can provide novel insights on existing psychological interventions, thereby advancing theory development. Finally, outline versatile implementations as screening tool, covariate, intervention evaluation framework. As all methods are transparently reported detailed, this work will allow other researchers similar scales or adapt them for any population interest.

Language: Английский

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(Why) Is Misinformation a Problem?

Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(6), P. 1436 - 1463

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

In the last decade there has been a proliferation of research on misinformation. One important aspect this work that receives less attention than it should is exactly why misinformation problem. To adequately address question, we must first look to its speculated causes and effects. We examined different disciplines (computer science, economics, history, information journalism, law, media, politics, philosophy, psychology, sociology) investigate The consensus view points advancements in technology (e.g., Internet, social media) as main cause increasing impact misinformation, with variety illustrations critically analyzed both issues. As effects, misbehaviors are not yet reliably demonstrated empirically be outcome misinformation; correlation causation may have hand perception. cause, technologies enable, well reveal, multitudes interactions represent significant deviations from ground truths through people's new way knowing (intersubjectivity). This, argue, illusionary when understood light historical epistemology. Both doubts raise used consider cost established norms liberal democracy come efforts target problem

Language: Английский

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The Berkeley Tanner Lectures

Published: Oct. 2, 2024

Language: Английский

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When Do Parties Lie? Misinformation and Radical-Right Populism Across 26 Countries

The International Journal of Press/Politics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

The spread of misinformation has emerged as a global concern. Academic attention recently shifted to emphasize the role political elites drivers misinformation. Yet, little is known relationship between party politics and misinformation—in part due dearth cross-national empirical data needed for comparative study. This article examines which parties are more likely misinformation, by drawing on comprehensive database 32M tweets from parliamentarians in 26 countries, spanning 6 years several election periods. dataset combined with external databases such Parlgov V-Dem, linking detailed information about cabinets, thus enabling approach Using multilevel analysis random country intercepts, we find that radical-right populism strongest determinant propensity Populism, left-wing populism, right-wing not linked These results suggest should be understood parcel current wave radical right its opposition liberal democratic institution.

Language: Английский

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A Framework for the Study of Persuasion

Annual Review of Political Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 25(1), P. 65 - 88

Published: Nov. 19, 2021

Persuasion is a vital part of politics—who wins elections and policy disputes often depends on which side can persuade more people. Given this centrality, the study persuasion has long history with an enormous number theories empirical inquiries. However, literature fragmented, few generalizable findings. I unify previously disparate dimensions topic by presenting framework focusing actors (speakers receivers), treatments (topics, content, media), outcomes (attitudes, behaviors, emotions, identities), settings (competition, space, time, process, culture). This Generalizing (GP) Framework organizes distinct findings offers researchers structure in to situate their work. conclude discussion normative implications persuasion.

Language: Английский

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Pandemic fatigue fueled political discontent during the COVID-19 pandemic

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 119(48)

Published: Nov. 21, 2022

Health authorities have highlighted “pandemic fatigue” as a psychological consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and warned that “fatigue” could demotivate compliance with health-related policies mandates. Yet, fatigue from following may consequences far beyond health domain. Theories social sciences raised real perceived costs can also drive sentiments discontent entire political establishment. Integrating theories sciences, we ask how (i.e., inability to “keep up” restrictions) developed over whether it fueled discontent. Utilizing longitudinal panel surveys collected September 2020 July 2021 in eight Western countries (N = 49,116), analyze: 1) time at country level, 2) associations between discontent, 3) effect on using data. Pandemic significantly increased severity interventions but decreased deaths. When triggered, elicited broad range including protest support conspiratorial thinking. The results demonstrate significant societal impact domain raise concerns about stability democratic societies, which were already strained by strife prior pandemic.

Language: Английский

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