disinformation
Definition
Disinformation is misleading, inaccurate, or entirely false information that is spread intentionally to manipulate public opinion, distort perceptions, and fuel polarization, as exemplified by pro-Russian narratives designed to delegitimize Ukraine and undermine international support. It operates through strategic mechanisms including false claims about military operations, attribution of responsibility to adversaries, and normalization of contested actions. The proliferation of disinformation presents a formidable challenge to informed public discourse and democratic institutions, with susceptibility varying based on factors such as social identity, media exposure, and individual differences in information processing. Psychological interventions, particularly inoculation strategies that warn people about persuasive attempts and preemptively refute arguments, have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing disinformation susceptibility and increasing perceptions of its lack of credibility.
Sources: Ziemer et al. (2024), Kunst (2024)
Related Terms
Applications
Disinformation and Social Identity
Social identity and exposure to identity-congruent media significantly predict susceptibility to disinformation. Individuals with Russian identity and exposure to Russian media showed heightened susceptibility to pro-Russian disinformation narratives, though this vulnerability was not immutable.
Sources: Ziemer et al. (2024)
Disinformation and Inoculation
Inoculation interventions that warn individuals about persuasive attempts and preemptively refute arguments effectively reduce disinformation susceptibility. These interventions improved participants' ability to recognize disinformation, perceive it as less credible, and resist attitudinal shifts.
Sources: Kunst (2024), Ziemer et al. (2024)
Disinformation and Information Processing
Individual differences in how people process information relate to differential susceptibility to disinformation.
Sources: Kunst (2024)
