On Debunking Misinformation: A Meta-Analytic Approach

• In Event: Misinformation and Correction

Abstract

The study reports on a meta-analysis of attempts to correct misinformation in various domains (k=166). Results indicate that corrective messages have a moderate influence on debiasing in general (r=.24). However, stronger effects are recorded for topics associated with crime (r=.34) and science (r =.33), whereas weaker effects emerged for misinformation in the context of marketing (r=.17) and politics (r=.14). Rebuttals (r=.25) were more effective than forewarnings (r=.15), and appeals to consensus (r=.46) and coherence (r=.40) outperformed fact-checking (r=.18), source credibility (r=.12), and general warnings (r =.22). Interestingly, when comparing debunking attempts to no message conditions, corrections can even backfire, and increase belief in misinformation (r=-.01).

Authors

• Nathan Walter, Northwestern University

• Sheila Teresa Murphy, Sheila Murphy