Benefits and Pitfalls of Debunking Interventions to Counter mRNA Vaccination Misinformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Issue 5 (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmid, Philipp; Betsch, Cornelia
• Is Part Of: Science communication. Volume 44:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 531
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: persuasion -- genetics -- spirituality -- vaccine hesitancy -- inoculation theory; 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: 10.1177/10755470221129608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1075-5470

Abstract

Misinformation about mRNA vaccination is a barrier in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, authorities often rely on text-based refutations as a countermeasure. In two experiments ( N = 2, 444), text-based refutations effectively reduced the belief in misinformation and immunized participants against the impact of a misleading social media post. However, a follow-up ( N = 817) questions the longevity of these debunking and prebunking effects. Moreover, the studies reveal potential pitfalls by showing a row of unintended effects of the refutations (lacking effect on intentions, backfire-effects among religious groups, and biased judgments when omitting information about vaccine side effects).