Debunking health myths on the internet: the persuasive effect of (visual) online communication

Kessler, Sabrina Heike; Bachmann, Elias

doi:10.1007/s10389-022-01694-3

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The analyses showed that debunking misinformation was a relevant factor, especially effective for classical vaccine types such as inactivated vaccines (see discussion of experiment 1). While some previous studies have shown that debunking health-related misinformation can also have negative effects (Nyhan et al, 2014;Nyhan & Reifler, 2015;Peter & Koch, 2015), the results of the present study strengthen the evidence for positive effects of correcting misinformation (Chan et al, 2017;Kessler & Bachmann, 2022;Paynter et al, 2019;Walter & Murphy, 2018;Yousuf et al, 2021). Although providing more detailed explanations is considered to be more effective (Chan et al, 2017;Ecker et al, 2020;Lewandowsky et al, 2020;Swire et al, 2017), the results demonstrate that short messages, which can be more easily disseminated via social media, for example, are also a promising strategy to combat misinformation and increase vaccination intentions during a pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Debunking Misinformation and Communicating Critical Events in Vaccine Trials

Eitze

Shamsrizi

Addo

et al. 2022

EJHC

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Misinformation and media reports about critical events in vaccine trials challenge public confidence in Covid-19 vaccine safety. Three online experiments using 2×2 between-subjects designs examined the impact of vaccine type, misinformation debunking, and critical events during vaccine trials. In Experiment 1, N = 984 participants received information about different vaccines and misinformation was debunked. In Experiment 2, N = 1,018 participants were informed about different vaccines and trial discontinuation. In Experiment 3, N = 1,006 participants received information about discontinuation and questionable research practices of a manufacturer. The main dependent variables were confidence in vaccine safety, vaccination intention, and willingness to participate in a vaccine trial. Debunking increased vaccination intention and confidence (both η2p = .01) which was partly higher for classical than for new vaccines (η2p = .01). Information about discontinuation had no effect, but having heard about it before had benefits. Information about questionable research practices decreased confidence ( η2p = .01) and vaccination intention ( η2p = .02) regarding the target vaccine but did not affect other vaccines. Confidence (β = .47) was most strongly associated with willingness to participate in vaccine trials. Critical events in vaccine trials should be communicated transparently to increase confidence, trial participation, and vaccination intentions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Debunking Misinformation and Communicating Critical Events in Vaccine Trials

Eitze

Shamsrizi

Addo

et al. 2022

EJHC

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“…The positive effects of the search are thus comparable to effective debunking texts, in which misinformation is first presented and then debunked. 31 , 34 , 56 Furthermore, internet searches led to a decrease in the videos’ attributed credibility. The impact of information can depend significantly on ascribed credibility, so subsequent information search seems to be an effective way to counteract the negative effects of misinformation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The impact of information can depend significantly on ascribed credibility, so subsequent information search seems to be an effective way to counteract the negative effects of misinformation. 34 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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COVID-19 misinformation on YouTube: An analysis of its impact and subsequent online information searches for verification

Kessler

Humprecht

2023

DIGITAL HEALTH

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Objectives COVID-19 vaccination misinformation on YouTube can have negative effects on users. Some, after being exposed to such misinformation, may search online for information that either debunks or confirms it. This study's objective is to examine the impact of YouTube videos spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination and the influencing variables, as well as subsequent information seeking and its effect on attitudes toward vaccination. Methods In this observational and survey study, we used a three-group pre-test and post-tests design ( N = 106 participants). We examined the effects of YouTube videos containing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination on attitudes toward vaccination via surveys, employed screen recordings with integrated eye tracks to examine subsequent online information searches, and again surveyed participants to examine the effects of the individual searches on their attitudes. Results Receiving misinformation via video tended to have negative effects, mostly on unvaccinated participants. After watching the video, they believed and trusted less in the effectiveness of the vaccines. Internet searches led to more positive attitudes toward vaccination, regardless of vaccination status or prior beliefs. The valences of search words entered and search duration were independent of the participants’ prior attitudes. Misinforming content was rarely selected and perceived (read). In general, participants were more likely to perceive supportive and mostly neutral information about vaccination. Conclusion Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination on YouTube can have a negative impact on recipients. Unvaccinated citizens in particular are a vulnerable group to online misinformation; therefore, it is important to take action against misinformation on YouTube. One approach could be to motivate users to verify online content by doing their own information search on the internet, which led to positive results in the study.

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“…Myths can be understood as widely circulated and believed ideas that are false and unsubstantiated by existing scientific facts [ 1 ]. They can range from statements that appear to sound logical or intuitive, to explanations based on flimsy or distorted evidence [ 1 ]. Health myths have existed for centuries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

You must be myths-taken: Examining belief in falsehoods during the COVID-19 health crisis

Lwin,

Sheldenkar,

Tng

2024

PLoS ONE

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The prevalence of health myths is increasing with the rise of Internet use. Left unaddressed, online falsehoods can lead to harmful behaviours. In times of crisis, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the circulation of many myths is exacerbated, often to varying degrees among different cultures. Singapore is a multicultural hub in Asia with Western and Asian influences. Although several studies have examined health myths from a Western or Eastern perspective, little research has investigated online health falsehoods in a population that is culturally exposed to both. Furthermore, most studies examined myths cross-sectionally instead of capturing trends in myth prevalence over time, particularly during crisis situations. Given these literature gaps, we investigated popular myths surrounding the recent COVID-19 pandemic within the multicultural setting of Singapore, by examining its general population. We further examined changes in myth beliefs over the two-year period during the pandemic, and population demographic differences in myth beliefs. Using randomised sampling, two online surveys of nationally representative samples of adults (aged 21–70 years) residing in Singapore were conducted, the first between October 2020 and February 2021 (N = 949), and the second between March and April 2022 (N = 1084). Results showed that 12.7% to 57.5% of the population were unable to identify various myths, such as COVID-19 was manmade, and that three of these myths persisted significantly over time (increases ranging from 3.9% to 9.8%). However, belief in myths varied across population demographics, with ethnic minorities (Indians and Malays), females, young adults and those with lower education levels being more susceptible to myths than their counterparts (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that current debunking efforts are insufficient to effectively counter misinformation beliefs during health crises. Instead, a post-COVID-19 landscape will require targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable population sub-groups, that also focus on the erroneous beliefs with long staying power.

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Debunking health myths on the internet: the persuasive effect of (visual) online communication

Cited by 11 publications

References 58 publications

Debunking Misinformation and Communicating Critical Events in Vaccine Trials

Debunking Misinformation and Communicating Critical Events in Vaccine Trials

COVID-19 misinformation on YouTube: An analysis of its impact and subsequent online information searches for verification

You must be myths-taken: Examining belief in falsehoods during the COVID-19 health crisis

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