1
|
Xia H, Liu Y, Hou G. Factors influencing college students' online rumor refuting behavior during major public health crises: the moderating effect of group norms. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1412034. [PMID: 38988398 PMCID: PMC11234518 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1412034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This study integrates SOR (Stimuli-Organism-Response) theoretical framework and rational behavior theory within a theoretical framework, incorporating group norms as a moderating factor to investigate the psychological mechanisms influencing Chinese college students' online rumor-refutation behavior amidst public health crises. Using the structural equation modeling research method, data was collected via questionnaires from 1,254 participants in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate that both online and offline information seeking are positively correlated with college students' attitudes and subjective norms. Moreover, the attitudes and subjective norms of college students are positively correlated with the online rumor refuting behavior. Furthermore, group norms serve to strengthen the connection between college students' attitudes and their engagement in online refuting rumors. These results illuminate the psychological underpinnings driving college students' online rumor-refuting actions, offering practical and policy implications for effectively managing rumor behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Xia
- College of Public Administration and Law, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Liu
- College of Public Administration and Law, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Guanghui Hou
- College of Law, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen S, Xiao L, Kumar A. Spread of misinformation on social media: What contributes to it and how to combat it. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
|
3
|
Wu Y, Shen XL, Sun Y. Establishing the typology and the underlying structure of rumor-combating behaviors: a multidimensional scaling approach. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & PEOPLE 2022. [DOI: 10.1108/itp-01-2022-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeSocial media rumor combating is a global concern in academia and industry. Existing studies lack a clear definition and overall conceptual framework of users' rumor-combating behaviors. Therefore, this study attempts to empirically derive a typology of rumor-combating behaviors of social media users.Design/methodology/approachA three-phase typology development approach is adopted, including content analysis, multidimensional scaling (MDS), interpreting and labeling. Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods are employed.FindingsThe elicited 40 rumor-combating behaviors vary along two dimensions: high versus low difficulty of realization, and low versus high cognitive load. Based on the two dimensions, the 40 behaviors are further divided into four categories: rumor-questioning behavior, rumor-debunking behavior, proactive-appealing behavior, and literacy enhancement behavior.Practical implicationsThis typology will serve as reference for social media platforms and governments to further explore the interventions to encourage social media users to counter rumor spreading based on various situations and different characteristics of rumor-combating behaviors.Originality/valueThis study provides a typology of rumor-combating behaviors from a novel perspective of user participation. The typology delves into the conceptual connotations and basic forms of rumor combating, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the complete spectrum of users' rumor-combating behaviors. Furthermore, the typology identifies the similarities and the differences between various rumor-combating behaviors, thus providing implications and directions for future research on rumor-combating behaviors.
Collapse
|
4
|
COVID-19-related information seeking and individual's rumor refuting: A multi-information-source perspective. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
5
|
The effects of repetition spacing on the illusory truth effect. Cognition 2022; 225:105157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2022.105157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
6
|
Predicting healthcare professionals’ intention to correct health misinformation on social media. TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2022.101864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
|
7
|
Wang X, Chao F, Yu G. Evaluating Rumor Debunking Effectiveness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: Utilizing User Stance in Comments on Sina Weibo. Front Public Health 2021; 9:770111. [PMID: 34926388 PMCID: PMC8678741 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.770111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The spread of rumors related to COVID-19 on social media has posed substantial challenges to public health governance, and thus exposing rumors and curbing their spread quickly and effectively has become an urgent task. This study aimed to assist in formulating effective strategies to debunk rumors and curb their spread on social media. Methods: A total of 2,053 original postings and 100,348 comments that replied to the postings of five false rumors related to COVID-19 (dated from January 20, 2020, to June 28, 2020) belonging to three categories, authoritative, social, and political, on Sina Weibo in China were randomly selected. To study the effectiveness of different debunking methods, a new annotation scheme was proposed that divides debunking methods into six categories: denial, further fact-checking, refutation, person response, organization response, and combination methods. Text classifiers using deep learning methods were built to automatically identify four user stances in comments that replied to debunking postings: supporting, denying, querying, and commenting stances. Then, based on stance responses, a debunking effectiveness index (DEI) was developed to measure the effectiveness of different debunking methods. Results: The refutation method with cited evidence has the best debunking effect, whether used alone or in combination with other debunking methods. For the social category of Car rumor and political category of Russia rumor, using the refutation method alone can achieve the optimal debunking effect. For authoritative rumors, a combination method has the optimal debunking effect, but the most effective combination method requires avoiding the use of a combination of a debunking method where the person or organization defamed by the authoritative rumor responds personally and the refutation method. Conclusion: The findings provide relevant insights into ways to debunk rumors effectively, support crisis management of false information, and take necessary actions in response to rumors amid public health emergencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Fan Chao
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Guang Yu
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fu C, Lyu X, Mi M. Collective Value Promotes the Willingness to Share Pro-Vaccination Messages on Social Media in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint). JMIR Form Res 2021; 6:e35744. [PMID: 36067417 PMCID: PMC9534273 DOI: 10.2196/35744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The proliferation of vaccine misinformation on social media has seriously corrupted the public’s confidence in vaccination. Proactively sharing provaccination messages on social media is a cost-effective way to enhance global vaccination rates and resist vaccine misinformation. However, few strategies for encouraging the public to proactively share vaccine-related knowledge on social media have been developed. Objective This research examines the effect of value type (individual vs collective) and message framing (gain vs loss) on influenza vaccination intention (experiment 1) and the willingness to share provaccination messages (experiment 2) among Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary aim was to evaluate whether messages that emphasized collective value were more effective in increasing the willingness to share than messages that emphasized individual value. Methods We enrolled 450 Chinese adults for experiment 1 (n=250, 55.6%) and experiment 2 (n=200, 44.4%). Participants were randomly assigned to individual-gain, individual-loss, collective-gain, or collective-loss conditions with regard to the message in each experiment using the online survey platform’s randomization function. Experiment 1 also included a control group. The primary outcome was influenza vaccination intention in experiment 1 and the willingness to share provaccination messages in experiment 2. Results The valid sample included 213 adults in experiment 1 (females: n=151, 70.9%; mean age 29 [SD 9] years; at least some college education: n=202, 94.8%; single: n=131, 61.5%) and 171 adults in experiment 2 (females: n=106, 62.0%; mean age 28 [SD 7] years; at least some college education: n=163, 95.3%; single: n=95, 55.6%). Influenza vaccination intention was stronger in the individual-value conditions than in the collective-value conditions (F3,166=4.96, P=.03, η2=0.03). The reverse result was found for the willingness to share provaccination messages (F3,165=6.87, P=.01, η2=0.04). Specifically, participants who received a message emphasizing collective value had a higher intention to share the message than participants who read a message emphasizing individual value (F3,165=6.87, P=.01, η2=0.04), and the perceived responsibility for message sharing played a mediating role (indirect effect=0.23, 95% lower limit confidence interval [LLCI] 0.41, 95% upper limit confidence interval [ULCI] 0.07). In addition, gain framing facilitated influenza vaccination intention more than loss framing (F3,166=5.96, P=.02, η2=0.04). However, experiment 2 did not find that message framing affected message-sharing willingness. Neither experiment found an interaction between value type and message framing. Conclusions Strengthened individual value rather than collective value is more likely to persuade Chinese adults to vaccinate. However, these adults are more likely to share a message that emphasizes collective rather than individual value, and the perceived responsibility for message sharing plays a mediating role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Fu
- Department of Social Psychology, Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaokang Lyu
- Department of Social Psychology, Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingdi Mi
- Students' Affairs Division, Weinan Vocational & Technical College, Weinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Walter N, Brooks JJ, Saucier CJ, Suresh S. Evaluating the Impact of Attempts to Correct Health Misinformation on Social Media: A Meta-Analysis. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2021; 36:1776-1784. [PMID: 32762260 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2020.1794553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Social media poses a threat to public health by facilitating the spread of misinformation. At the same time, however, social media offers a promising avenue to stem the distribution of false claims - as evidenced by real-time corrections, crowdsourced fact-checking, and algorithmic tagging. Despite the growing attempts to correct misinformation on social media, there is still considerable ambiguity regarding the ability to effectively ameliorate the negative impact of false messages. To address this gap, the current study uses a meta-analysis to evaluate the relative impact of social media interventions designed to correct health-related misinformation (k = 24; N = 6,086). Additionally, the meta-analysis introduces theory-driven moderators that help delineate the effectiveness of social media interventions. The mean effect size of attempts to correct misinformation on social media was positive and significant (d = 0.40, 95% CI [0.25, 0.55], p =.0005) and a publication bias could not be excluded. Interventions were more effective in cases where participants were involved with the health topic, as well as when misinformation was distributed by news organizations (vs. peers) and debunked by experts (vs. non-experts). The findings of this meta-analysis can be used not only to depict the current state of the literature but also to prescribe specific recommendations to better address the proliferation of health misinformation on social media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Walter
- Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University
| | - John J Brooks
- Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University
| | | | - Sapna Suresh
- Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Understanding misinformation and rumors that generated panic buying as a social practice during COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Twitter, YouTube and focus group interviews. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & PEOPLE 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/itp-01-2021-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of the study is to understand how socially shared misinformation and rumors can enhance the motivation to protect personal interests and enhance social practices of panic buying.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a number of qualitative data collection methods for the purpose of triangulation, as it can offer thick interpretation and can help to develop a context specific research framework.FindingsThe shared misinformation and rumors on social media developed into psychological, physical and social threats; therefore, people started panic buying to avoid these negative consequences. People believed that there were differences between the information shared by politicians and government officials and reality, such as “everything is under control,” whereas social media showed people standing in long queues and struggling to buy the necessities of life. The shared misinformation and rumors on social media became viral and received social validation, which created panic buying in many countries.Research limitations/implicationsIt is the responsibility of government, politicians, leaders, media and the public to control misinformation and rumors, as many people were unable to buy groceries due either to socio-economic status or their decisions of late buying, which increased depression among people.Originality/valueThe study merged the theory of rumor (TORT) transmission and protection motivation theory (PMT) to understand how misinformation and rumors shared through social media increased global uncertainty and the desire to panic buy across the world.
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang X, Li Y, Li J, Liu Y, Qiu C. A rumor reversal model of online health information during the Covid-19 epidemic. Inf Process Manag 2021; 58:102731. [PMID: 34539040 PMCID: PMC8441309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ipm.2021.102731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The development of the Internet and social media has expanded the speed and scope of information dissemination, but not all widely disseminated information is true. Especially during the public health emergencies, the endogenous health information demand generated by the lack of scientific knowledge of health information among online users stimulates the dissemination of health information by mass media while providing opportunities for rumor mongers to publish and spread online rumors. Invalid scientific knowledge and rumors will have a serious negative impact and disrupt social order during epidemic outbreaks such as COVID-19. Therefore, it is extremely important to construct an effective online rumor reversal model. The purpose of this study is to build an online rumor reversal model to control the spread of online rumors and reduce their negative impact. From the perspective of internal and external factors, based on the SIR model, this study constructed a G-SCNDR online rumor reversal model by adopting scientific knowledge level theory and an external online rumor control strategy. In this study, the G-SCNDR model is simulated, and a sensitivity analysis of the important parameters of the model is performed. The reversal efficiency of the G-SCNDR model can be improved by properly adopting the isolation-conversion strategy as the external control approach to online rumors with improving the popularization rate of the level of users' scientific knowledge and accelerating the transformation efficiency of official nodes. This study can help provide a better understanding of the process of online rumor spreading and reversing, as well as offering ceritain guidance and countermeasures for online rumor control during public health emergencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiwei Wang
- School of Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China.,Research Center for Big Data Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Yueqi Li
- School of Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Jiaxing Li
- School of Information Management, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yutong Liu
- School of Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Chengcheng Qiu
- School of Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Luo P, Wang C, Guo F, Luo L. Factors affecting individual online rumor sharing behavior in the COVID-19 pandemic. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2021; 125:106968. [PMID: 34334932 PMCID: PMC8314969 DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.106968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
With the outbreak of COVID-19, online sharing of rumors about the disease is of growing concern worldwide. Drawing on the stimulus–organism–response (S–O-R) framework, this study aims to explore the impacts of peer condition and peer communication on fear of COVID-19, and the impact of fear of COVID-19 on online rumor sharing behavior, by considering the contingency effect of health self-efficacy. Data from 1167 respondents to an online survey in China were adopted to test our research model. The results indicate that peer communication and peer condition induce fear of COVID-19, and fear of COVID-19 results in online rumor sharing. Fear of COVID-19 mediates the effects of peer communication and peer condition on online rumor sharing. Health self-efficacy alleviates the positive effect of peer communication on fear of COVID-19, and the positive effect of fear of COVID-19 on online rumor sharing. This study advances the literature on online rumor sharing and S–O-R, and provides practical implications to social media users and governments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Luo
- School of Business, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenxiao Wang
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Nan Gang District, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Feng Guo
- College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Li Luo
- School of Business, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wang H, Zou X, Lai K, Luo W, He L. Does Quality of Life Act as a Protective Factor against Believing Health Rumors? Evidence from a National Cross-Sectional Survey in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094669. [PMID: 33925732 PMCID: PMC8124750 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A high quality of life (QoL), an individual’s subjective assessment of overall life condition, has been shown to have a protective effect against negative behaviors. However, whether QoL protects people from the harmful impact of health rumors is still unknown. In this study, a national survey in China (n = 3633) was conducted to explore the relationship between health rumor belief (HRB) and QoL, which includes physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. The results show that people with a poor perception of their physical health are more likely to believe health rumors. Additionally, those who had better self-reported satisfaction in social relationships were more susceptible to health rumors. Furthermore, women and older adults showed a greater belief in health rumors. This study expands upon our understanding of how people with different QoL levels interact with false health-related information. Based on health-rumor-susceptible groups, several essential online and offline strategies to govern health rumors are also proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Wang
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (H.W.); (X.Z.); (K.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Xiqian Zou
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (H.W.); (X.Z.); (K.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Kaisheng Lai
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (H.W.); (X.Z.); (K.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Weiping Luo
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (H.W.); (X.Z.); (K.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Lingnan He
- School of Communication and Design, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Big Data Analysis and Simulation of Public Opinion, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang D, Qian Y. Echo Chamber Effect in Rumor Rebuttal Discussions About COVID-19 in China: Social Media Content and Network Analysis Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e27009. [PMID: 33690145 PMCID: PMC7996199 DOI: 10.2196/27009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The dissemination of rumor rebuttal content on social media is vital for rumor control and disease containment during public health crises. Previous research on the effectiveness of rumor rebuttal, to a certain extent, ignored or simplified the structure of dissemination networks and users’ cognition as well as decision-making and interaction behaviors. Objective This study aimed to roughly evaluate the effectiveness of rumor rebuttal; dig deeply into the attitude-based echo chamber effect on users’ responses to rumor rebuttal under multiple topics on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, in the early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic; and evaluate the echo chamber’s impact on the information characteristics of user interaction content. Methods We used Sina Weibo’s application programming interface to crawl rumor rebuttal content related to COVID-19 from 10 AM on January 23, 2020, to midnight on April 8, 2020. Using content analysis, sentiment analysis, social network analysis, and statistical analysis, we first analyzed whether and to what extent there was an echo chamber effect on the shaping of individuals’ attitudes when retweeting or commenting on others’ tweets. Then, we tested the heterogeneity of attitude distribution within communities and the homophily of interactions between communities. Based on the results at user and community levels, we made comprehensive judgments. Finally, we examined users’ interaction content from three dimensions—sentiment expression, information seeking and sharing, and civility—to test the impact of the echo chamber effect. Results Our results indicated that the retweeting mechanism played an essential role in promoting polarization, and the commenting mechanism played a role in consensus building. Our results showed that there might not be a significant echo chamber effect on community interactions and verified that, compared to like-minded interactions, cross-cutting interactions contained significantly more negative sentiment, information seeking and sharing, and incivility. We found that online users’ information-seeking behavior was accompanied by incivility, and information-sharing behavior was accompanied by more negative sentiment, which was often accompanied by incivility. Conclusions Our findings revealed the existence and degree of an echo chamber effect from multiple dimensions, such as topic, interaction mechanism, and interaction level, and its impact on interaction content. Based on these findings, we provide several suggestions for preventing or alleviating group polarization to achieve better rumor rebuttal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wang
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Center for Studies of Information Resources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Big Data Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuxing Qian
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Center for Studies of Information Resources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Big Data Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Xie XZ, Tsai NC. The effects of negative information-related incidents on social media discontinuance intention: Evidence from SEM and fsQCA. TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2020.101503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
16
|
Pal A, Banerjee S. Internet users beware, you follow online health rumors (more than counter-rumors) irrespective of risk propensity and prior endorsement. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & PEOPLE 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/itp-02-2019-0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThe Internet is a breeding ground for rumors. A way to tackle the problem involves the use of counter-rumor messages that refute rumors. This paper analyzes users' intention to follow rumors and counter-rumors as a function of two factors: individuals' risk propensity and messages' prior endorsement.Design/methodology/approachThe paper conducted an online experiment. Complete responses from 134 participants were analyzed statistically.FindingsRisk-seeking users were keener to follow counter-rumors compared with risk-averse ones. No difference was detected in terms of their intention to follow rumors. Users' intention to follow rumors always exceeded their intention to follow counter-rumors regardless of whether prior endorsement was low or high.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper contributes to the scholarly understanding of people's behavioral responses when, unknowingly, exposed to rumors and counter-rumors on the Internet. Moreover, it dovetails the literature by examining how risk-averse and risk-seeking individuals differ in terms of intention to follow rumors and counter-rumors. It also shows how prior endorsement of such messages drives their likelihood to be followed.Originality/valueThe paper explores the hitherto elusive question: When users are unknowingly exposed to both a rumor and its counter-rumor, which entry is likely to be followed more than the other? It also takes into consideration the roles played by individuals' risk propensity and messages' prior endorsement.
Collapse
|
17
|
Pal A, Chua AY, Hoe-Lian Goh D. How do users respond to online rumor rebuttals? COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2019.106243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|