Why Misinformation Must Not Be Ignored Apa Long But You Can Use It

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 5, 2025, 4:36 PM

why misinformation must not be ignored apa long but you can use it

Recent academic debate has seen the emergence of the claim that misinformation is not a significant societal problem. We argue that the arguments used to support this minimizing position are flawed, particularly if interpreted (e.g., by policymakers or the public) as suggesting that misinformation can be safely ignored. Here, we rebut the two main claims, namely that misinformation is not of substantive concern (a) due to its low incidence and (b) because it has no causal influence on notable political or behavioral... Through a critical review of the current literature, we demonstrate that (a) the prevalence of misinformation is nonnegligible if reasonably inclusive definitions are applied and that (b) misinformation has causal impacts on important beliefs... Both scholars and policymakers should therefore continue to take misinformation seriously. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Ullrich K H Ecker*, Li Qian Tay, Jon Roozenbeek, Sander Van Der Linden, John Cook, Naomi Oreskes, Stephan Lewandowsky Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review T1 - Why Misinformation Must Not Be Ignored N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s) Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of the intent to deceive.

It often arises when people share incorrect data, facts, or details without realizing the information is wrong. Misinformation can spread through various channels, including social media, word of mouth, or even reputable news outlets that inadvertently report incorrect facts. Note: Misinformation is widespread, especially in the digital age, where information spreads quickly. Awareness of and learning how to identify it helps prevent its negative impacts. American Psychologist, Vol 80(6), Sep 2025, 867-878; doi:10.1037/amp0001448 Recent academic debate has seen the emergence of the claim that misinformation is not a significant societal problem.

We argue that the arguments used to support this minimizing position are flawed, particularly if interpreted (e.g., by policymakers or the public) as suggesting that misinformation can be safely ignored. Here, we rebut the two main claims, namely that misinformation is not of substantive concern (a) due to its low incidence and (b) because it has no causal influence on notable political or behavioral... Through a critical review of the current literature, we demonstrate that (a) the prevalence of misinformation is nonnegligible if reasonably inclusive definitions are applied and that (b) misinformation has causal impacts on important beliefs... Both scholars and policymakers should therefore continue to take misinformation seriously. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved) Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information.[5][6] Whereas misinformation can exist with or without specific malicious intent, disinformation is deliberately deceptive and intentionally propagated.[7][8][9][10][11] Misinformation is typically spread unintentionally, mostly caused by a lack of...

Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, X, etc., facilitate the spread of misinformation because they are designed for fast sharing, rather than careful checking.[14][15][16] In January 2024, the World Economic Forum identified misinformation and disinformation, propagated by both internal and external interests, to "widen societal and political divides" as the most severe global risks in the short term.[17]... UNESCO and other monitoring groups report that policies and legal measures created to address misinformation and disinformation, in some contexts, can be applied to restrict journalistic work and limit political expression.[23][24][25] The term came into wider recognition during the mid-1990s through the early 2020s, when its effects on public ideological influence began to be investigated. However, misinformation campaigns have existed for hundreds of years.[26][27] Scholars distinguish between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in terms of intent and effect.

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information published without malicious intent, while disinformation is designed to mislead.[28]

Why Misinformation Must Not Be Ignored Apa Long But You Can Use It

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Recent Academic Debate Has Seen The Emergence Of The Claim

Ullrich K H Ecker*, Li Qian Tay, Jon Roozenbeek, Sander

It Often Arises When People Share Incorrect Data, Facts, Or

We Argue That The Arguments Used To Support This Minimizing

Social Media Platforms, Such As Facebook, Instagram, X, Etc., Facilitate