Abstract
Applying motivated reasoning theory, this study explores how people pay
attention to politicized science issues and engage in supportive actions
in social media. In doing so, the role of issue confidence was closely
investigated. The current study adopts a non-profit organization’s use
of political ideology and hoaxes in promoting labeling issues for GMO
(genetically modified organisms) products. Results from an online survey
with an embedded experiment showed that issue confidence is related to
an individual’s motivation to engage in the GMO labeling issue, unlike
factual knowledge or literacy. Findings suggested that social media
hoaxes can activate individuals’ issue confidence. The present study
discussed not only the effects of issue confidence and social media
hoaxes but also ethical considerations of hoax-spreading by activists.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-11 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Telematics and Informatics |
Volume | 36 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2019 |
Scopus Subject Areas
- Computer Networks and Communications
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
User-Defined Keywords
- GMO labeling
- Hoaxes
- Issue confidence
- Motivated reasoning theory
- Politicized science issue