Fake News: Conformity to Other Users' Views When Commenting and Sharing Disinformation in Social Media

Faculty Mentor

Gary Kose

Major/Area of Research

Psychology

Description

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the effects of conformity to others' online comments when individuals respond to fake news.

METHOD: 201 participants were seen in three groups presented with fake news with supportive comments; the same fake news with critical comments; and the same fake news with both supportive and critical comments.

RESULTS: After exposure to others' comments critical of a fake news article, individuals' attitudes, propensity to make positive comments and intentions to share the fake news were lower than after exposure to others' comments supportive of a fake news article. Furthermore, this research finds that the use of a disclaimer from a social media company alerting individuals to the fact that the news might be fake does not lower individuals’ intensions to make positive comments and to share the fake news as much as critical comments from other users.

CONCLUSION: The findings show that commentary on news items influence individuals' attitudes to comment and share disinformation. Further, that others' commentary is more effective that disclaimers from the social media source.

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Fake News: Conformity to Other Users' Views When Commenting and Sharing Disinformation in Social Media

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the effects of conformity to others' online comments when individuals respond to fake news.

METHOD: 201 participants were seen in three groups presented with fake news with supportive comments; the same fake news with critical comments; and the same fake news with both supportive and critical comments.

RESULTS: After exposure to others' comments critical of a fake news article, individuals' attitudes, propensity to make positive comments and intentions to share the fake news were lower than after exposure to others' comments supportive of a fake news article. Furthermore, this research finds that the use of a disclaimer from a social media company alerting individuals to the fact that the news might be fake does not lower individuals’ intensions to make positive comments and to share the fake news as much as critical comments from other users.

CONCLUSION: The findings show that commentary on news items influence individuals' attitudes to comment and share disinformation. Further, that others' commentary is more effective that disclaimers from the social media source.