Understanding How We Interpret And Share Misinformation

Partisanship’s effect on misinformation • The online information landscape First it was Brexit. Then the 2016 U.S. presidential election, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mubashir Sultan watched this historic trifecta unravel, shocked by the divisiveness and information silos that characterized each event. Sultan was in graduate school at the time, and he found his research interests being sculpted by the world events surrounding him—first while pursuing two master’s degrees in cultural psychology and in brain and...

And Sultan wasn’t alone. “There has been a huge public, but also scholarly, concern regarding misinformation,” Sultan said. “If you look at the graph of the amount of papers being published on misinformation, it’s so steep starting from around 2016.” With so much research happening all at once, Sultan and his colleagues saw a need to take a comprehensive look at the studies that have been conducted on misinformation, especially on veracity judgements—research that... They did just that in a paper currently in press in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Corresponding Author: Nicola Luigi Bragazzi robertobragazzi@gmail.com

Received 2024 Aug 18; Revision requested 2024 Oct 15; Revised 2024 Oct 16; Accepted 2024 Oct 22; Collection date 2024. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR... The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://infodemiology.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included. Misinformation represents an evolutionary paradox: despite its harmful impact on society, it persists and evolves, thriving in the information-rich environment of the digital age. This paradox challenges the conventional expectation that detrimental entities should diminish over time. The persistence of misinformation, despite advancements in fact-checking and verification tools, suggests that it possesses adaptive qualities that enable it to survive and propagate.

This paper explores how misinformation, as a blend of truth and fiction, continues to resonate with audiences. The role of narratives in human history, particularly in the evolution of Homo narrans, underscores the enduring influence of storytelling on cultural and social cohesion. Despite the increasing ability of individuals to verify the accuracy of sources, misinformation remains a significant challenge, often spreading rapidly through digital platforms. Current behavioral research tends to treat misinformation as completely irrational, static, finite entities that can be definitively debunked, overlooking their dynamic and evolving nature. This approach limits our understanding of the behavioral and societal factors driving the transformation of misinformation over time. The persistence of misinformation can be attributed to several factors, including its role in fostering social cohesion, its perceived short-term benefits, and its use in strategic deception.

Techniques such as extrapolation, intrapolation, deformation, cherry-picking, and fabrication contribute to the production and spread of misinformation. Understanding these processes and the evolutionary advantages they confer is crucial for developing effective strategies to counter misinformation. By promoting transparency, critical thinking, and accurate information, society can begin to address the root causes of misinformation and create a more resilient information environment. Keywords: misinformation, infodemics, evolutionary theory, fake news, spoof news, fact-checking, digital platform, behavioral research, social cohesion, extrapolation, deformation, fabrication, disinformation, evolutionary paradox, adaptive qualities, strategic deception, intrapolation, health information, public health When we reach the frontier of current knowledge, we’re tempted to insert a higher power into the space where answers aren’t yet satisfying for all. MisinfoDay activities in Washington will involve two different tracks in 2026.

At the CSCW conference in Bergen, Norway, CIP researchers facilitated a conference workshop and presented 5 papers, including one that received a Best Paper award. Navigating the Landscape of Misinformation and Disinformation: A Deep Dive into the Current Information Ecosystem The digital age has ushered in an era of unprecedented information access, empowering individuals with knowledge and fostering global connectivity. However, this democratization of information has also brought with it a shadow: the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, often collectively referred to as "misinformation." This phenomenon, characterized by the spread of false or misleading... Distinguishing between misinformation (false information spread unintentionally) and disinformation (false information spread intentionally to deceive) is crucial for understanding the nuances of this complex landscape. While both contribute to the erosion of trust and the amplification of harmful narratives, disinformation carries a more deliberate and malicious intent, often wielded for political gain, social manipulation, or economic profit.

The rise of social media platforms, with their algorithmic amplification and echo chambers, has exacerbated the spread of both misinformation and disinformation, creating an environment where false narratives can rapidly gain traction and influence... The historical context of misinformation and disinformation is deeply rooted in propaganda and psychological warfare. From ancient rumors spread to demoralize enemies to the sophisticated propaganda campaigns of the 20th century, attempts to manipulate information have long been a tool of power and control. The modern digital landscape, however, presents new challenges. The speed and scale at which information can be disseminated online are unprecedented, and the anonymity afforded by many platforms makes it difficult to trace the origins of false narratives and hold those responsible... Furthermore, the sophisticated techniques employed by malicious actors, such as the use of deepfakes and bot networks, blur the lines between reality and fabrication, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to discern truth from...

The consequences of this information pollution are far-reaching, impacting everything from electoral outcomes to public health crises. The impact of misinformation and disinformation is profound and multifaceted, affecting individuals and society at large. On a personal level, exposure to misinformation can lead to confusion, anxiety, and poor decision-making. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of misinformation about the virus and its treatments led to vaccine hesitancy and the adoption of harmful health practices. On a societal level, misinformation erodes trust in institutions, fuels polarization, and can even incite violence. The spread of conspiracy theories and disinformation campaigns can undermine democratic processes by sowing doubt about election integrity and eroding public faith in government.

Moreover, the proliferation of false narratives can exacerbate existing social divisions and contribute to the spread of hate speech and discrimination. Combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation requires a multi-pronged approach involving individuals, platforms, and government. Media literacy education plays a critical role in empowering individuals to critically evaluate information and identify false narratives. Developing critical thinking skills, understanding the difference between credible and unreliable sources, and recognizing common misinformation tactics are essential for navigating the complex information landscape. Social media platforms also bear a responsibility to address the spread of misinformation on their platforms. This includes investing in fact-checking initiatives, developing algorithms that prioritize credible sources, and removing accounts that engage in coordinated disinformation campaigns.

Furthermore, governments have a role to play in regulating the spread of harmful information while upholding freedom of speech principles. This delicate balance requires careful consideration and international cooperation to address the transnational nature of the problem. Many people share misinformation unknowingly and sometimes with good or altruistic intentions - whether to articulate their perspectives, warn others away from danger or join others in trying to make sense of the world... But some knowingly share things they suspect are false - whether to damage “the other side” in a political debate, get social media likes and shares, or conform to their ideological identities. Bad actors - such as hyperpartisans, trolls and even foreign agents - create and share disinformation to cause division and confusion, to promote political interests and points of view or for financial gain. Use this section of the guide to help you understand what misinformation and disinformation is, learn why people share it and what red flags to look out for.

Adapted content from The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Common misinformation themes and “rumor cues" to look out for: Posted April 7, 2025 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma As a social psychologist, I study how our identities, relationships, and group affiliations shape the way we interpret information, especially misinformation. Whether it’s false headlines, viral rumors, or manipulated images, our social environment plays a powerful role in shaping what we accept as true or reject as false. How does classic psychological research inspire my current work?

And how will understanding our social context help us navigate a world flooded with questionable claims and misinformation? The Solomon Asch conformity studies were experiments done in the 1950s that showed how people are influenced by the opinions of a group, even when those opinions are wrong. One of his classic studies involved a group of people seeing a line, and then they were asked to match its length to one of three other lines. The answer was obvious, but in the group, only one person was a real participant. The others were actors who were told to give the wrong answer on purpose. When the actors all gave the wrong answer, the real participant often went along with the group, even though they knew the answer was wrong.

As an undergrad, I studied psychology, and I was fascinated by the Asch conformity studies when I learned about them. I also became very curious about how psychological bias influenced both me and those around me. This curiosity ultimately led me to graduate school, where I focused on studying how social and psychological processes shape our beliefs and behavior. As a graduate student, I published a paper exploring the relationship between our social networks and the strength of our beliefs. I discovered that having just one person in our network with different political or religious views significantly weakened the strength of certain beliefs, particularly those related to American politics and Christianity. Over the last few years, I’ve been studying how various social and psychological factors influence susceptibility to misinformation.

Misinformation is a broad umbrella term that refers to false or misleading information, regardless of intention. Hoaxes, scams, deepfakes, propaganda, and fake news are all types of misinformation. Misinformation has been an academic term that has been studied in social science for decades. For example, the misinformation effect gained a lot of popularity in psychology in the 1980s, and it deals with how exposure to false or misleading information can bias what we remember from certain events. This phenomenon connects to a broader literature on psychological bias and information processing. Posted by Md.

Harun Ar Rashid | Jun 1, 2025 | Information Technology In today’s digital age, information spreads rapidly across social media, news platforms, and messaging apps. However, not all information is accurate or trustworthy. Misinformation refers to false or misleading information shared without harmful intent, while disinformation is deliberately created and distributed to deceive or manipulate audiences. Understanding the difference between the two is essential for individuals to navigate digital spaces responsibly and protect themselves and others from the harmful effects of false content. In the rest of this article, we will explore the basic understanding of misinformation and disinformation.

Misinformation is defined as false, inaccurate, or misleading information that is shared, regardless of whether there is an intention to deceive. It differs from disinformation, which involves a deliberate effort to deceive people for political, financial, or social gain. In the case of misinformation, the person spreading it may genuinely believe the information is true and may not intend to cause harm. This makes it particularly challenging to detect and control. For example, an individual might read a scientific article published several years ago and assume its findings are still valid, then share it online without realizing that newer studies have since disproven or revised... Even though their intention was simply to inform others, they end up spreading inaccurate information.

Misinformation can originate from honest mistakes, misinterpretations, lack of updated knowledge, or the rapid spread of information on social media platforms without proper verification. The effects of misinformation can be far-reaching and harmful, often influencing real-world events and decisions. One of the most significant dangers lies in how misinformation can alter public opinion, distort facts, and erode trust in credible institutions. Even when local journalists and media outlets strive to verify facts and scrutinize content, they face difficulties—especially when false or misleading information comes from seemingly trustworthy sources, including government officials or reputable institutions. Misinformation is spreading false, misleading, or inaccurate information, often without malicious intent. It differs from disinformation, which is intentionally deceptive, but the effects of both can be equally harmful.

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