Speaking of Psychology Stopping the spread of misinformation, with Sander van der Linden, PhD
Nov 29, 2023
Sander van der Linden, PhD, researcher at Cambridge University, discusses the prevalence of misinformation, why it spreads like a virus, and strategies to combat it. He explores the impact of generative AI technology, recognizing and combating false political information online, the disparities between traditional media and social media in fact-checking, and the role of community leaders in spreading accurate information.
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Broad Definition Expands The Problem
- Misinformation includes outright falsehoods and misleading information like half-truths and biased narratives.
- The APA defines misinformation without assuming intent because intent is hard to prove legally.
Misinformation Exposure Is Underestimated
- Exposure estimates vary widely: fabricated falsehoods may be 1–2% while broader misleading content could be up to 20% of media diets.
- We likely underestimate exposure because studies focus on single platforms and ignore visual manipulation and cross-platform contact.
Expect Platform Hesitation
- Social platforms act inconsistently; they step up moderation during crises but often backtrack and reduce enforcement later.
- Expect politicization and legal pressure to create chilling effects on platform action.