Correcting What's True

Testing Competing Claims About Health Misinformation on Social Media

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3757663
AutoresEmily K Vraga (0000-0002-3016-3869, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA, autor correspondente), Leticia Bode (0000-0002-9859-2918, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA)
Ano2025
Volume69
Fascículo2
Páginas187-205
Data de publicação2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00027642221118252
OpenAlexW4293225030
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas6
Referências citadas37

This study expands on existing research about correcting misinformation on social media. Using an experimental design, we explore the effects of three truth signals related to stories shared on social media: whether the person posting the story says it is true, whether the replies to the story say it is true, or whether the story itself is actually true. Our results suggest that individuals should not share misinformation in order to debunk it, as audiences assume sharing is an endorsement. Additionally, while two responses debunking the post do reduce belief in the post's veracity and argument, this process occurs equally when the story is false (thereby reducing misperceptions) as when it is true (thus reinforcing misperceptions). Our results have implications for individuals interested in correcting health misinformation on social media and for the organizations that support their efforts

Argument (complex analysis) · Business · Internet privacy · Misinformation · Order (exchange) · Social media · Computer Science · Media Influence and Politics · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology