New Books in Political Science

Adam J. Berinsky, "Political Rumors: Why We Accept Misinformation and How to Fight It" (Princeton UP, 2023)

Apr 8, 2025

Adam J. Berinsky, Mitsui Professor of Political Science at MIT and a specialist in political behavior, dives into the world of political rumors and misinformation. He discusses why these falsehoods thrive despite being debunked, revealing that psychological traits and partisan biases play a significant role. Berinsky emphasizes the importance of addressing not just believers but also the undecided. He advocates for ethical communication from leaders and innovative strategies to restore public trust in democracy amid a landscape polluted by misinformation.

44:47

Episode guests

Adam J. Berinsky

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Political rumors thrive on social media due to the visibility and connectivity it provides, influencing even those who are politically disengaged.

Combatting misinformation requires engaging trusted messengers and addressing the psychological traits and political orientations of individuals who believe in such narratives.

Deep dives

The Origins of Political Rumors

Political rumors have been a significant aspect of political behavior over the years, with a particular emphasis on the 2008-2010 political climate when misinformation became rampant in the U.S. Examples like the false claims about Barack Obama's citizenship and incorrect assertions about healthcare legislation highlight how easily misinformation can spread. The speaker reflects on how the study of political rumors evolved from a curiosity into a crucial field of political science, particularly with the rising relevance of misinformation since then. The social context in which these rumors take hold underscores how unsupported claims can significantly influence public perception.

Intro

2min

The Ripple Effect of Political Rumors

12min

Examining the Dynamics of Political Rumor Perception

3min

Combatting Political Misinformation

11min

The Ethics of Elite Rumors in Politics

4min

The Impact of Political Rumors on Democracy

9min

Political rumors and misinformation pollute the political landscape. This is not a recent phenomenon; before the currently rampant and unfounded rumors about a stolen election and vote-rigging, there were other rumors that continued to spread even after they were thoroughly debunked, including doubts about 9/11 (an “inside job”) and the furor over President Obama’s birthplace and birth certificate. If misinformation crowds out the truth, how can Americans communicate with one another about important issues? In Political Rumors: Why We Accept Misinformation and How to Fight It (Princeton UP, 2023), Adam Berinsky examines why political rumors exist and persist despite their unsubstantiated and refuted claims, who is most likely to believe them, and how to combat them.

Drawing on original survey and experimental data, Berinsky shows that a tendency toward conspiratorial thinking and vehement partisan attachment fuel belief in rumors. Yet the reach of rumors is wide, and Berinsky argues that in fighting misinformation, it is as important to target the undecided and the uncertain as it is the true believers. We’re all vulnerable to misinformation, and public skepticism about the veracity of political facts is damaging to democracy. Moreover, in a world where most people simply don’t pay attention to politics, political leaders are often guilty of disseminating false information—and failing to correct it when it is proven wrong. Berinsky suggests that we should focus on the messenger as much as the message of rumors. Just as important as how misinformation is debunked is who does the debunking.

Adam J. Berinsky is the Mitsui Professor of Political Science at MIT and the founding director of the MIT Political Experiments Research Lab. A specialist in the fields of political behavior and public opinion, he is the author of Silent Voices: Public Opinion and Political Participation in America (Princeton) and In Time of War: Understanding American Public Opinion from World War II to Iraq.

Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter.

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