Abstract
This meta-analysis investigated the factors underlying effective messages to counter attitudes and beliefs based on misinformation. Because misinformation can lead to poor decisions about consequential matters and is persistent and difficult to correct, debunking it is an important scientific and public-policy goal. This meta-analysis (k = 52, N = 6,878) revealed large effects for presenting misinformation (ds = 2.41–3.08), debunking (ds = 1.14–1.33), and the persistence of misinformation in the face of debunking (ds = 0.75–1.06). Persistence was stronger and the debunking effect was weaker when audiences generated reasons in support of the initial misinformation. A detailed debunking message correlated positively with the debunking effect. Surprisingly, however, a detailed debunking message also correlated positively with the misinformation-persistence effect.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1531-1546 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Psychological Science |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2017 |
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Keywords
- belief persistence/perseverance
- continued influence
- correction
- misinformation
- open data
- science communication
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Debunking : A Meta-Analysis of the Psychological Efficacy of Messages Countering Misinformation. / Chan, Man pui Sally; Jones, Christopher R.; Hall Jamieson, Kathleen; Albarracin, Dolores.
In: Psychological Science, Vol. 28, No. 11, 01.11.2017, p. 1531-1546.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Debunking
T2 - A Meta-Analysis of the Psychological Efficacy of Messages Countering Misinformation
AU - Chan, Man pui Sally
AU - Jones, Christopher R.
AU - Hall Jamieson, Kathleen
AU - Albarracin, Dolores
PY - 2017/11/1
Y1 - 2017/11/1
N2 - This meta-analysis investigated the factors underlying effective messages to counter attitudes and beliefs based on misinformation. Because misinformation can lead to poor decisions about consequential matters and is persistent and difficult to correct, debunking it is an important scientific and public-policy goal. This meta-analysis (k = 52, N = 6,878) revealed large effects for presenting misinformation (ds = 2.41–3.08), debunking (ds = 1.14–1.33), and the persistence of misinformation in the face of debunking (ds = 0.75–1.06). Persistence was stronger and the debunking effect was weaker when audiences generated reasons in support of the initial misinformation. A detailed debunking message correlated positively with the debunking effect. Surprisingly, however, a detailed debunking message also correlated positively with the misinformation-persistence effect.
AB - This meta-analysis investigated the factors underlying effective messages to counter attitudes and beliefs based on misinformation. Because misinformation can lead to poor decisions about consequential matters and is persistent and difficult to correct, debunking it is an important scientific and public-policy goal. This meta-analysis (k = 52, N = 6,878) revealed large effects for presenting misinformation (ds = 2.41–3.08), debunking (ds = 1.14–1.33), and the persistence of misinformation in the face of debunking (ds = 0.75–1.06). Persistence was stronger and the debunking effect was weaker when audiences generated reasons in support of the initial misinformation. A detailed debunking message correlated positively with the debunking effect. Surprisingly, however, a detailed debunking message also correlated positively with the misinformation-persistence effect.
KW - belief persistence/perseverance
KW - continued influence
KW - correction
KW - misinformation
KW - open data
KW - science communication
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85033238001&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85033238001&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0956797617714579
DO - 10.1177/0956797617714579
M3 - Article
VL - 28
SP - 1531
EP - 1546
JO - Psychological Science
JF - Psychological Science
SN - 0956-7976
IS - 11
ER -