What Drives Believing, Verifying, and Sharing Fake News: Motivated Reasoning, Analytical Thinking Disposition, and Conspiracy Mentality

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

This study aims to understand the mechanisms underlying perceived fallacy, information verification, and information sharing in a misinformation context from the perspective of misinformation content (falsity level and evidence type) and the perspective of the audiences (motivated reasoning, analytical thinking disposition, and conspiracy mentality). Data from Hong Kong amid the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 353) suggest that audiences’ predispositions are as important as the content of misinformation. In particular, motivated reasoning, analytical thinking disposition, and conspiracy mentality were found to have distinct contributions, driving the degree to which a person believes, verifies, and shares misinformation. The theoretical contributions are discussed in this paper.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 26 May 2023
EventICA 2023 - 73rd Annual International Communication Association Conference: Reclaiming Authenticity in Communication - Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto, Canada
Duration: 25 May 202329 May 2023
https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ICA23

Conference

ConferenceICA 2023 - 73rd Annual International Communication Association Conference
Abbreviated titleICA 2023
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto
Period25/05/2329/05/23
Internet address

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Communication

User-Defined Keywords

  • Audience studies
  • Journalism Studies, Media effects
  • Journalism Studies

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