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Preprint

How to debunk misinformation? An experimental online study investigating text structures and headline formats

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [What does this mean?].

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Kotz, Johannes
Giese, Helge
König, Laura M.

Abstract / Description

Misinformation is a crucial problem, particularly online, and the success of debunking messages has so far been limited. In this study we experimentally test how debunking text structure (truth sandwich vs. bottom-heavy) and headline format (statement vs. questions) affect the belief in misinformation across topics of the safety of COVID vaccines and GMO foods. A representative German sample of 4906 participants were randomly assigned to reading one of eight debunking messages in the experimentally varied formats and subsequently rated the acceptance of this message and the agreement to misinformation statements about the mentioned topics and an unrefuted control myth. While the debunking messages specifically decreased the belief in the targeted myth, these beliefs and the acceptance of the debunking message were unaffected by the text structures and headline formats. Yet, they were less successful when addressing individuals with strong pre-existing, incongruent attitudes and distrust in science.

Keyword(s)

debunking nutrition health vaccination genetically modified organisms GMO misinformation truth sandwich media psychology refutation

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2022-08-20

Publisher

PsychArchives

Citation

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    Description: Preprint of manuscript "How to debunk misinformation? An experimental online study investigating text structures and headline formats"
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Kotz, Johannes
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Giese, Helge
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    König, Laura M.
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2022-08-20T11:39:05Z
  • Made available on
    2022-08-20T11:39:05Z
  • Date of first publication
    2022-08-20
  • Abstract / Description
    Misinformation is a crucial problem, particularly online, and the success of debunking messages has so far been limited. In this study we experimentally test how debunking text structure (truth sandwich vs. bottom-heavy) and headline format (statement vs. questions) affect the belief in misinformation across topics of the safety of COVID vaccines and GMO foods. A representative German sample of 4906 participants were randomly assigned to reading one of eight debunking messages in the experimentally varied formats and subsequently rated the acceptance of this message and the agreement to misinformation statements about the mentioned topics and an unrefuted control myth. While the debunking messages specifically decreased the belief in the targeted myth, these beliefs and the acceptance of the debunking message were unaffected by the text structures and headline formats. Yet, they were less successful when addressing individuals with strong pre-existing, incongruent attitudes and distrust in science.
    en
  • Publication status
    other
  • Review status
    notReviewed
  • Sponsorship
    The data collection was sponsored by the Leibniz Institute for Psychology (ZPID) Lab Track Preregistration in Psychology program.
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/7437
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.8142
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychArchives
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.5373
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.8135
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.8136
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.8137
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.5372
  • Keyword(s)
    debunking
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    nutrition
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    health
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    vaccination
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    genetically modified organisms
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    GMO
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    misinformation
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    truth sandwich
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    media
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    psychology
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    refutation
    en
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    How to debunk misinformation? An experimental online study investigating text structures and headline formats
    en
  • DRO type
    preprint