New Books in Sociology

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

Apr 6, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Adam J. Berinsky, Mitsui Professor of Political Science at MIT and director of the Political Experiments Research Lab, delves into the persistence of political rumors and misinformation. He explains how partisanship and conspiratorial thinking contribute to belief in false claims. The conversation highlights the role of political elites in spreading misinformation and the psychological factors that make everyone susceptible. Berinsky emphasizes the need for informed citizen engagement and empathetic communication to combat these damaging narratives.

44:47

Episode guests

Adam J. Berinsky

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Political rumors thrive due to human tendencies like conspiracy thinking and partisanship, influencing belief in misinformation across demographics.

Combating misinformation effectively requires tailored approaches that utilize trusted community messengers to bridge communication gaps in political discourse.

Deep dives

Understanding Political Rumors

Political rumors often stem from unsupported claims that circulate through both social and internet channels. They can significantly affect public perceptions and political conversations, impacting perceptions of political figures and policies. The discussion highlights how certain historical rumors, such as the claims about President Obama’s citizenship and false narratives around health care reforms, exemplify the social nature of rumor dissemination. These examples showcase how misinformation can shape political discourse and the increasing prevalence of such rumors in the digital age.

Intro

2min

Political Rumors and Misinformation

12min

Investigating Political Misinformation: Party Affiliations and Communication Dynamics

3min

Exploring the Impact of Political Rumors and Misinformation

2min

Tackling Political Misinformation

9min

The Dynamics of Elite Rumors in Politics

13min

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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