Dr. Adam Berinsky: Political Rumors and Misinformation

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Adam Berinsky discuss political rumors and misinformation. Dr. Berinsky defines rumors as unsubstantiated claims without evidence, emphasizing their social transmission. He identifies two factors influencing rumor belief: conspiratorial thinking and partisan polarization. Berinsky's research reveals that while some people firmly believe rumors, others are ambivalent and more open to correction. He suggests focusing on these undecided individuals rather than entrenched believers. Berinsky also highlights the role of political leaders in spreading misinformation and the need for creative messaging to counteract it.

 

 Key Takeaways:

• Political rumors (or misinformation) are claims that are unsubstantiated by the balance of publicly available information. 

• Republicans and Democrats are equally (or very nearly) likely to believe different pieces of misinformation that they're presented with. Currently, Republican politicians are more likely to spread misinformation. 

• The more attention you pay to politics, the more likely you are to listen to people on your side.

• Better-educated and more informed people should be more likely to reject misinformation, but what we find is that actually, they're more attuned to the partisan angle of that information. 

 

"Maybe our effort is better spent on trying to get these people who are not sure where they stand, because those are the people that we can move." —  Dr. Adam Berinsky

 

Connect with Dr. Adam Berinsky:

Professional Bio: https://polisci.mit.edu/people/adam-berinsky 

Website: https://berinsky.mit.edu/ 

Book: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691158389/political-rumors 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-berinsky-7b9830/ 

 

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

BlueSky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

 

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