Correcting Misperceptions About Genetically Modified Food on Social Media: Examining the Impact of Experts, Social Media Heuristics, and the Gateway Belief Model. Issue 2 (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bode, Leticia; Vraga, Emily K.; Tully, Melissa
• Is Part Of: Science communication. Volume 43:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 225
• Page End: 251
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: genetically modified food -- misinformation -- social media -- credibility -- heuristics -- gateway belief model; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Knowledge, Sociology of -- Periodicals; Communication in science -- Periodicals; Communication of technical information -- Periodicals; Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; Information scientifique -- Périodiques; Information technique -- Périodiques; Communication en sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Communication en médecine -- Périodiques; 300.14
• DOI: 10.1177/1075547020981375
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1075-5470

Abstract

We experimentally test whether expert organizations on social media can correct misperceptions of the scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) food for human consumption, as well as what role social media cues, in the form of "likes, " play in that process. We find expert organizations highlighting scientific consensus on GM food safety reduces consensus misperceptions among the public, leading to lower GM misperceptions and boosting related consumption behaviors in line with the gateway belief model. Expert organizations' credibility may increase as a result of correction, but popularity cues do not seem to affect misperceptions or credibility.