Perceived prevalence of misinformation fuels worries about COVID-19: a cross-country, multi-method investigation

Data suggests that the majority of citizens in various countries came across ‘fake news’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. We test the relationship between perceived prevalence of misinformation and people’s worries about COVID-19. In Study 1, analyses of a survey across 17 countries indicate a positive...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Matthes, Jörg, Corbu, Nicoleta, Jin, Soyeon, Theocharis, Yannis, Schemer, Christian, Aelst, Peter van, Strömbäck, Jesper, Koc-Michalska, Karolina, Esser, Frank, Aalberg, Toril, Cardenal, Ana Sofía, Castro, Laia, Vreese, Claes de, Hopmann, David Nicolas, Sheafer, Tamir, Splendore, Sergio, Stanyer, James, Stępińska, Agnieszka, Štětka, Václav, Zoizner, Alon
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10230/56827
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/56827
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2022.2146983
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:COVID-19
misinformation
worry
trust
Descripción
Sumario:Data suggests that the majority of citizens in various countries came across ‘fake news’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. We test the relationship between perceived prevalence of misinformation and people’s worries about COVID-19. In Study 1, analyses of a survey across 17 countries indicate a positive association: perceptions of high prevalence of misinformation are correlated with high worries about COVID-19. However, the relationship is weaker in countries with higher levels of case-fatality ratios, and independent from the actual amount of misinformation per country. Study 2 replicates the relationship using experimental data. Furthermore, Study 2 demonstrates the underlying mechanism, that is, perceived prevalence of misinformation fosters the belief that COVID-19 is spiralling out of control, which in turn, increases worries. Our findings suggest that perceived prevalence of misinformation can have significant psychological effects, even though audience members reject the information as being false.

Similares en LA Referencia