This project adopts a dynamic approach to misinformation susceptibility, recognizing that susceptibility is not solely determined by static demographic factors, but also by the ever-changing circumstances in which people encounter information. By examining how these circumstances activate different cognitive processes, this research aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of why and when people believe misinformation. It seeks to integrate findings from two prominent theories in the field: one attributing susceptibility to a lack of careful reasoning, and another emphasizing motivated reasoning (where individuals reason in ways that support their preferred conclusions). In doing so, it seeks to develop a nuanced understanding of how individuals make veracity judgements when interacting with news. The project examines how prior beliefs, certainty, and perceived source credibility influence information processing within this context. This research uses computational techniques (such as drift-diffusion modelling) to provide a process-level analysis of evidence accumulation during decision-making, illuminating how people weigh and integrate various factors to form judgments about the veracity of new information.
Find out more about the research of the Media and Communication research group.
