Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
Br J Health Psychol. 2023 Nov;28(4):1097-1112. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12670. Epub 2023 Jun 1.
Misinformation is a crucial problem, particularly online, and the success of debunking messages has so far been limited. In this study, we experimentally test how debunking text structure (truth sandwich vs. bottom-heavy) and headline format (statement vs. questions) affect the belief in misinformation across topics of the safety of COVID vaccines and GMO foods.
Experimental online study.
A representative German sample of 4906 participants were randomly assigned to reading one of eight debunking messages in the experimentally varied formats and subsequently rated the acceptance of this message and the agreement to misinformation statements about the mentioned topics and an unrefuted control myth.
While the debunking messages specifically decreased the belief in the targeted myth, these beliefs and the acceptance of the debunking message were unaffected by the text structures and headline formats. Yet, they were less successful when addressing individuals with strong pre-existing, incongruent attitudes and distrust in science.
The risk of backfire effects in debunking misinformation is low. Text structure and headline format are of relatively little importance for the effectiveness of debunking messages. Instead, writers may need to pay attention to the text being comprehensive, trustworthy and persuasive to maximize effectiveness.
错误信息是一个关键问题，尤其是在网络上，而揭穿这些信息的效果迄今为止一直有限。在这项研究中，我们通过实验测试了揭穿信息的文本结构（真相三明治与头重脚轻）和标题格式（陈述与问题）如何跨新冠疫苗和转基因食品安全性等主题影响对错误信息的信任。
实验性在线研究。
一项针对 4906 名具有代表性的德国参与者的随机抽样，他们被随机分配阅读以不同格式呈现的 8 种揭穿信息中的一种，随后对该信息的接受程度以及对所提及主题的错误信息陈述和未经反驳的对照神话的认同程度进行评估。
揭穿信息确实降低了对目标神话的信任，但这些信仰和对揭穿信息的接受不受文本结构和标题格式的影响。然而，当涉及到那些具有强烈预先存在的、不一致的态度和对科学不信任的个体时，这些信息的效果就不太理想。
揭穿错误信息的反向影响风险较低。文本结构和标题格式对于揭穿信息的有效性相对不重要。相反，作者可能需要注意文本的全面性、可信度和说服力，以最大限度地提高效果。
