Belief Echoes: The Persistent Effects of Corrected Misinformation. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thorson, Emily
• Is Part Of: Political communication. Volume 33:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 460
• Page End: 480
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: misinformation -- continued influence effect -- fact-checking -- corrections; Communication -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; Communication in politics -- Periodicals; 306.205
• DOI: 10.1080/10584609.2015.1102187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4609

Abstract

Abstract : Across three separate experiments, I find that exposure to negative political information continues to shape attitudes even after the information has been effectively discredited. I call these effects "belief echoes." Results suggest that belief echoes can be created through an automatic or deliberative process. Belief echoes occur even when the misinformation is corrected immediately, the "gold standard" of journalistic fact-checking. The existence of belief echoes raises ethical concerns about journalists' and fact-checking organizations' efforts to publicly correct false claims.