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Lu C, Hu B, Bao MM, Wang C, Bi C, Ju XD. Can Media Literacy Intervention Improve Fake News Credibility Assessment? A Meta-Analysis. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2024; 27:240-252. [PMID: 38484319 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2023.0324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Fake news impacts individuals' behavior and decision-making while also disrupting political processes, perceptions of medical advice, and societal trends. Improving individuals' ability to accurately assess fake news can reduce its harmful effects. However, previous research on media literacy interventions designed for improving fake news credibility assessments has yielded inconsistent results. We systematically collected 33 independent studies and performed a meta-analysis to examine the effects of media literacy interventions on assessing fake news credibility (n = 36,256). The results showed that media literacy interventions significantly improved fake news credibility assessments (Hedges' g = 0.53, 95% confidence interval [0.29-0.78], p < 0.001). Gaming interventions were the most effective intervention form. Conversely, the intervention channel, outcome measurement, and subject characteristics (age, gender, and country development level) did not influence the intervention effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Lu
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Development, Changchun, China
| | - Bo Hu
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Meng-Meng Bao
- School of Educational Sciences, BaiCheng Normal University, Baicheng, China
| | - Chi Wang
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Chao Bi
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Development, Changchun, China
| | - Xing-Da Ju
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Development, Changchun, China
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Siebert J, Siebert JU. Enhancing misinformation correction: New variants and a combination of awareness training and counter-speech to mitigate belief perseverance bias. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299139. [PMID: 38363785 PMCID: PMC10871482 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Belief perseverance bias refers to individuals' tendency to persevere in biased opinions even after the misinformation that initially shaped those opinions has been retracted. This study contributes to research on reducing the negative impact of misinformation by mitigating the belief perseverance bias. The study explores the previously proposed awareness-training and counter-speech debiasing techniques, further developing them by introducing new variants and combining them. We investigate their effectiveness in mitigating the belief perseverance bias after the retraction of misinformation related to a real-life issue in an experiment involving N = 876 individuals, of whom 364 exhibit belief perseverance bias. The effectiveness of the debiasing techniques is assessed by measuring the difference between the baseline opinions before exposure to misinformation and the opinions after exposure to a debiasing technique. Our study confirmed the effectiveness of the awareness-training and counter-speech debiasing techniques in mitigating the belief perseverance bias, finding no discernible differences in the effectiveness between the previously proposed and the new variants. Moreover, we observed that the combination of awareness training and counter-speech is more effective in mitigating the belief perseverance bias than the single debiasing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Siebert
- Faculty of Arts, Department of Economic and Managerial Studies, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Hopkins KL, Lepage C, Cook W, Thomson A, Abeyesekera S, Knobler S, Boehman N, Thompson B, Waiswa P, Ssanyu JN, Kabwijamu L, Wamalwa B, Aura C, Rukundo JC, Cook J. Co-Designing a Mobile-Based Game to Improve Misinformation Resistance and Vaccine Knowledge in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 28:49-60. [PMID: 38146161 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2231377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Misinformation can decrease public confidence in vaccines, and reduce vaccination intent and uptake. One strategy for countering these negative impacts comes from inoculation theory. Similar to biological vaccination, inoculation theory posits that exposure to a weakened form of misinformation can develop cognitive immunity, reducing the likelihood of being misled. Online games offer an interactive, technology-driven, and scalable solution using an active form of inoculation that engages and incentivizes players to build resilience against misinformation. We document the development of the critical thinking game Cranky Uncle Vaccine. The game applies research findings from inoculation theory, critical thinking, humor in science communication, and serious games. The game content was iterated through a series of co-design workshops in Kampala (Uganda), Kitale (Kenya), and Kigali (Rwanda). Workshop participants offered feedback on cartoon character design, gameplay experience, and the game's content, helping to make the game more culturally relevant and avoid unintended consequences in East African countries. Our co-design methodology offers an approach for further adaptation of the Cranky Uncle Vaccine game to other regions, as well as a template for developing locally relevant interventions to counter future infodemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L Hopkins
- Vaccine Acceptance & Demand Initiative, Global Immunization, Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | | | | | - Angus Thomson
- Irimi Company, Lyon, France
- School of Liberal Arts, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Stacey Knobler
- Vaccine Acceptance & Demand Initiative, Global Immunization, Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | - Nicholas Boehman
- Vaccine Acceptance & Demand Initiative, Global Immunization, Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | - Brianna Thompson
- Vaccine Acceptance & Demand Initiative, Global Immunization, Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | - Peter Waiswa
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Lydia Kabwijamu
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Benson Wamalwa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Caroline Aura
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - John Cook
- Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Gwiaździński P, Gundersen AB, Piksa M, Krysińska I, Kunst JR, Noworyta K, Olejniuk A, Morzy M, Rygula R, Wójtowicz T, Piasecki J. Psychological interventions countering misinformation in social media: A scoping review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 13:974782. [PMID: 36684016 PMCID: PMC9849948 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.974782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The rise of social media users and the explosive growth in misinformation shared across social media platforms have become a serious threat to democratic discourse and public health. The mentioned implications have increased the demand for misinformation detection and intervention. To contribute to this challenge, we are presenting a systematic scoping review of psychological interventions countering misinformation in social media. The review was conducted to (i) identify and map evidence on psychological interventions countering misinformation, (ii) compare the viability of the interventions on social media, and (iii) provide guidelines for the development of effective interventions. Methods A systematic search in three bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) and additional searches in Google Scholar and reference lists were conducted. Results 3,561 records were identified, 75 of which met the eligibility criteria for the inclusion in the final review. The psychological interventions identified during the review can be classified into three categories distinguished by Kozyreva et al.: Boosting, Technocognition, and Nudging, and then into 15 types within these. Most of the studied interventions were not implemented and tested in a real social media environment but under strictly controlled settings or online crowdsourcing platforms. The presented feasibility assessment of implementation insights expressed qualitatively and with numerical scoring could guide the development of future interventions that can be successfully implemented on social media platforms. Discussion The review provides the basis for further research on psychological interventions counteracting misinformation. Future research on interventions should aim to combine effective Technocognition and Nudging in the user experience of online services. Systematic review registration [https://figshare.com/], identifier [https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14649432.v2].
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Gwiaździński
- Department of Philosophy and Bioethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- Consciousness Lab, Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Michal Piksa
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Jonas R. Kunst
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karolina Noworyta
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Rafal Rygula
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Jan Piasecki
- Department of Philosophy and Bioethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
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Siebert J, Siebert JU. Effective mitigation of the belief perseverance bias after the retraction of misinformation: Awareness training and counter-speech. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282202. [PMID: 36888583 PMCID: PMC9994702 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread and influence of misinformation have become a matter of concern in society as misinformation can negatively impact individuals' beliefs, opinions and, consequently, decisions. Research has shown that individuals persevere in their biased beliefs and opinions even after the retraction of misinformation. This phenomenon is known as the belief perseverance bias. However, research on mitigating the belief perseverance bias after the retraction of misinformation has been limited. Only a few debiasing techniques with limited practical applicability have been proposed, and research on comparing various techniques in terms of their effectiveness has been scarce. This paper contributes to research on mitigating the belief perseverance bias after the retraction of misinformation by proposing counter-speech and awareness-training techniques and comparing them in terms of effectiveness to the existing counter-explanation technique in an experiment with N = 251 participants. To determine changes in opinions, the extent of the belief perseverance bias and the effectiveness of the debiasing techniques in mitigating the belief perseverance bias, we measure participants' opinions four times in the experiment by using Likert items and phi-coefficient measures. The effectiveness of the debiasing techniques is assessed by measuring the difference between the baseline opinions before exposure to misinformation and the opinions after exposure to a debiasing technique. Further, we discuss the efforts of the providers and recipients of debiasing and the practical applicability of the debiasing techniques. The CS technique, with a very large effect size, is the most effective among the three techniques. The CE and AT techniques, with medium effect sizes, are close to being equivalent in terms of their effectiveness. The CS and AT techniques are associated with less cognitive and time effort of the recipients of debiasing than the CE technique, while the AT and CE techniques require less effort from the providers of debiasing than the CS technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Siebert
- Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Arts, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Johannes Ulrich Siebert
- Department of Business and Management, Management Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- * E-mail:
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Roozenbeek J, van der Linden S, Goldberg B, Rathje S, Lewandowsky S. Psychological inoculation improves resilience against misinformation on social media. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo6254. [PMID: 36001675 PMCID: PMC9401631 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo6254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Online misinformation continues to have adverse consequences for society. Inoculation theory has been put forward as a way to reduce susceptibility to misinformation by informing people about how they might be misinformed, but its scalability has been elusive both at a theoretical level and a practical level. We developed five short videos that inoculate people against manipulation techniques commonly used in misinformation: emotionally manipulative language, incoherence, false dichotomies, scapegoating, and ad hominem attacks. In seven preregistered studies, i.e., six randomized controlled studies (n = 6464) and an ecologically valid field study on YouTube (n = 22,632), we find that these videos improve manipulation technique recognition, boost confidence in spotting these techniques, increase people's ability to discern trustworthy from untrustworthy content, and improve the quality of their sharing decisions. These effects are robust across the political spectrum and a wide variety of covariates. We show that psychological inoculation campaigns on social media are effective at improving misinformation resilience at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Roozenbeek
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Corresponding author.
| | | | | | - Steve Rathje
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephan Lewandowsky
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Roozenbeek J, Traberg CS, van der Linden S. Technique-based inoculation against real-world misinformation. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 35600423 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5978996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, numerous psychological interventions have been developed to reduce susceptibility to misinformation. Inoculation theory has become an increasingly common framework for reducing susceptibility to both individual examples of misinformation (issue-based inoculation) and to the techniques and strategies that are commonly used to mislead or misinform people (technique-based inoculation). In this study, we address two open questions related to technique-based inoculation in two separate experiments (total n = 2188; convenience sample recruited via the Bad News online game platform): (i) can technique-based inoculation effectively reduce susceptibility to real-world misinformation that went viral on social media? and (ii) can technique-based inoculation confer cross-protection against misinformation that does not make use of any of the techniques against which people were inoculated? We find that playing a 15 min game confers psychological resistance against real-world misinformation that makes use of manipulation techniques against which people were inoculated (Cohen's d = 0.37, Cohen's U 3 = 64.4%, p < 0.001), and that cross-protection is achieved but at a reduced effect size (d = 0.10, U 3 = 54.0%, p = 0.001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Roozenbeek
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
| | - Cecilie S Traberg
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
| | - Sander van der Linden
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
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Roozenbeek J, Traberg CS, van der Linden S. Technique-based inoculation against real-world misinformation. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211719. [PMID: 35600423 PMCID: PMC9114974 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, numerous psychological interventions have been developed to reduce susceptibility to misinformation. Inoculation theory has become an increasingly common framework for reducing susceptibility to both individual examples of misinformation (issue-based inoculation) and to the techniques and strategies that are commonly used to mislead or misinform people (technique-based inoculation). In this study, we address two open questions related to technique-based inoculation in two separate experiments (total n = 2188; convenience sample recruited via the Bad News online game platform): (i) can technique-based inoculation effectively reduce susceptibility to real-world misinformation that went viral on social media? and (ii) can technique-based inoculation confer cross-protection against misinformation that does not make use of any of the techniques against which people were inoculated? We find that playing a 15 min game confers psychological resistance against real-world misinformation that makes use of manipulation techniques against which people were inoculated (Cohen's d = 0.37, Cohen's U 3 = 64.4%, p < 0.001), and that cross-protection is achieved but at a reduced effect size (d = 0.10, U 3 = 54.0%, p = 0.001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Roozenbeek
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
| | - Cecilie S. Traberg
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
| | - Sander van der Linden
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
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Piltch-Loeb R, Su M, Hughes B, Testa M, Goldberg B, Braddock K, Miller-Idriss C, Maturo V, Savoia E. A Quasi-Experimental Intervention Trial: Testing the Efficacy of Attitudinal Inoculation Videos to Enhance COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2022; 8:e34615. [PMID: 35483050 PMCID: PMC9217150 DOI: 10.2196/34615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of COVID-19 related misinformation has spread and been amplified online. The spread of misinformation can influence COVID-19 beliefs and protective actions including vaccine hesitancy. Belief in vaccine misinformation is associated with lower vaccination rates and higher vaccine resistance. Attitudinal inoculation is a preventative approach to combating misinformation and disinformation which leverages the power of narrative, rhetoric, values, and emotion. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to test inoculation messages in the form of short video messages to promote resistance against persuasion by COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. METHODS We designed a series of 30-second inoculation videos and conducted a quasi-experimental study to test the use of attitudinal inoculation in a population of individuals who were unvaccinated (N = 1991). The three intervention videos were distinguished by their script design- with Intervention Video 1 focusing on narrative/rhetorical ("Narrative") presentation of information, Intervention Video 2 focusing on delivering a fact-based information ("Fact"), and Intervention Video 3 using a hybrid design ("Hybrid"). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used to compare the main effect of intervention group on the three outcome variables: ability to recognize misinformation tactics ("Recognize", willingness to share misinformation ("Share"), and willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine ("Willingness"). RESULTS There were significant effects across all three outcome variables comparing inoculation intervention groups to controls. For the Recognize outcome, the ability to recognize rhetorical strategies, there was a significant intervention group effect (P<.001). For the Share outcome, support for sharing the mis-disinformation, the intervention group main effect was statistically significant ( P=.017). For the Willingness outcome, there was a significant intervention group effect; intervention groups were more willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine compared to controls ( P=.006). CONCLUSIONS Across all intervention groups, inoculated individuals showed greater resistance to misinformation than their non-inoculated counterparts. Relative to those who were not inoculated, inoculated participants showed significantly greater ability to recognize and identify rhetorical strategies used in misinformation, were less likely to share false information, and had greater willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Attitudinal inoculation delivered through short video messages should be tested in public health messaging campaigns to counter mis-disinformation. CLINICALTRIAL
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Piltch-Loeb
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith St, Boston, US.,Emergency Preparedness Research Evaluation & Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation & Leadership Development, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, US
| | - Max Su
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith St, Boston, US
| | - Brian Hughes
- Center for University Excellence and Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab, American University, Washington, US
| | - Marcia Testa
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith St, Boston, US.,Emergency Preparedness Research Evaluation & Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation & Leadership Development, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, US.,Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, Wellesley, US
| | | | - Kurt Braddock
- Center for University Excellence and Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab, American University, Washington, US
| | - Cynthia Miller-Idriss
- Center for University Excellence and Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab, American University, Washington, US
| | | | - Elena Savoia
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith St, Boston, US.,Emergency Preparedness Research Evaluation & Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation & Leadership Development, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, US
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Yesilada M, Lewandowsky S. Systematic review: YouTube recommendations and problematic content. INTERNET POLICY REVIEW 2022; 11:1652. [PMID: 36466439 PMCID: PMC7613872 DOI: 10.14763/2022.1.1652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
There has been much concern that social media, in particular YouTube, may facilitate radicalisation and polarisation of online audiences. This systematic review aimed to determine whether the YouTube recommender system facilitates pathways to problematic content such as extremist or radicalising material. The review conducted a narrative synthesis of the papers in this area. It assessed the eligibility of 1,187 studies and excluded studies using the PRISMA process for systematic reviews, leaving a final sample of 23 studies. Overall, 14 studies implicated the YouTube recommender system in facilitating problematic content pathways, seven produced mixed results, and two did not implicate the recommender system. The review's findings indicate that the YouTube recommender system could lead users to problematic content. However, due to limited access and an incomplete understanding of the YouTube recommender system, the models built by researchers might not reflect the actual mechanisms underlying the YouTube recommender system and pathways to problematic content.
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Johnson SS. Knowing Well, Being Well: well-being born of understanding: The Urgent Need for Coordinated and Comprehensive Efforts to Combat Misinformation. Am J Health Promot 2022; 36:559-581. [PMID: 35164544 PMCID: PMC8851052 DOI: 10.1177/08901171211070957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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12
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Roozenbeek J, van der Linden S. How to Combat Health Misinformation: A Psychological Approach. Am J Health Promot 2022; 36:569-575. [DOI: 10.1177/08901171211070958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jon Roozenbeek
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sander van der Linden
- Department of Psychology, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Walton G, Pointon M, Barker J, Turner M, Wilkinson AJ. Information discernment and the psychophysiological effects of misinformation. GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE, MEMORY AND COMMUNICATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/gkmc-03-2021-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine to what extent a person’s psychophysiological well-being is affected by misinformation and whether their level of information discernment has any positive or negative effect on the outcome.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants (n = 48) were randomly and blindly allocated to one of two groups: control group participants were told a person they were working with was a student; experimental group participants were additionally led to believe that this other participant had extreme religious views. This was both stigmatising and misinforming, as this other person was an actor. Participants completed a pre-screening booklet and a series of tasks. Participants’ cardiovascular responses were measured during the procedure.
Findings
Participants with high levels of information discernment, i.e. those who are curious, use multiple sources to verify information, are sceptical about search engine information, are cognisant of the importance of authority and are aware that knowledge changes and is contradictory at times exhibited an adaptive stress response, i.e. healthy psychophysiological outcomes and responded with positive emotions before and after a stressful task.
Social implications
The findings indicate the potential harmful effects of misinformation and discuss how information literacy or Metaliteracy interventions may address this issue.
Originality/value
The first study to combine the hitherto unrelated theoretical areas of information discernment (a sub-set of information literacy), affective states (positive affect negative affect survey) and stress (challenge and threat cardiovascular measures).
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