Not doomed: Examining the path from misinformation exposure to verification and correction in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT

Misinformation exposure has attracted growing scholarly attention. While much research highlights misinformation exposure's negative impacts, this study argues that its positive effects should also be noted. By using a more precise measurement of misinformation exposure and a path model, this study outlines a path from misinformation exposure to anti-misinformation behaviors, partially mediated by misperceptions in the context of COVID-19. Findings indicate that exposure to popular but widely-denounced COVID-19 misinformation via social media had positive effects on verification intention. Frequent exposure to misinformation on social media is associated with lower misperceptions, suggesting a healthy dose of skepticism toward the platform and low internalization of misinformation. Special attention, however, needs to be paid to online news websites and personal contacts as misinformation sources. More tailored interventions and communication strategies to reduce misperceptions and increase media-literate behaviors are needed for younger, conservative, and ethnic minority individuals. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.