Misinformation and How to Correct It
Title
Misinformation and How to Correct It
Author
Cook, John
Ecker, Ullrich
Lewandowsky, Stephan
Research Area
Cognition and Emotions
Topic
Information Processing
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of misinformation in society may adversely affect democratic decision making, which depends on a well‐informed public. False information can originate from a number of sources including rumors, literary fiction, mainstream media, corporate‐vested interests, governments, and nongovernmental organizations. The rise of the Internet and user‐driven content has provided a venue for quick and broad dissemination of information, not all of which is accurate. Consequently, a large body of research spanning a number of disciplines has sought to understand misinformation and determine which interventions are most effective in reducing its influence. This essay summarizes research into misinformation, bringing together studies from psychology, political science, education, and computer science.