The spread of fake science: Lexical concreteness, proximity, misinformation sharing, and the moderating role of subjective knowledge
Item Type
Author
Language
English
Abstract
The spread of science misinformation harms efforts to mitigate threats like climate change or coronavirus. Construal-level theory suggests that mediated messages can prime psychological proximity to threats, having consequences for behavior. Via two MTurk experiments, I tested a serial mediation process model predicting misinformation sharing from lexical concreteness, through psychological proximity and perceived threat. In Study 1, concrete misinformation primed psychological proximity which, in turn, increased perceived threat. Perceived threat then increased the likelihood that misinformation would be shared. Source credibility was also shown to positively influence misinformation sharing. Study 2 advanced this by showing this process was moderated by subjective knowledge. Specifically, the effect of perceived threat on misinformation sharing was stronger for those with higher subjective knowledge. Furthermore, the indirect effect of lexical concreteness on misinformation sharing was stronger for those with higher subjective knowledge. Results and limitations are discussed within the lens of construal-level theory and science communication.
Publication Title
Publication Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-10-24
Publisher
Journal abreviation
Public Underst Sci
Source
SAGE Journals
License
ISSN
0963-6625
Physical Description
pp.0963662520966165
Short Title
The spread of fake science
URL Document
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The spread of fake science: Lexical concreteness, proximity, misinformation sharing, and the moderating role of subjective knowledge,
dans Science & Ignorance,
consulté le 18 Janvier 2025, https://ignorancestudies.inist.fr/s/science-ignorance/item/4895