Work

Disagreement as a way to study misinformation and its effects

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Experts consider misinformation a significant societal concern due to its associated problems like political polarization, erosion of trust, and public health challenges. However, these broad effects can occur independently of misinformation, illustrating a misalignment with the narrow focus of the prevailing misinformation concept. We propose using disagreement—conflicting attitudes and beliefs—as a more effective framework for studying these effects. This approach, for example, reveals the limitations of current misinformation interventions and offers a method to empirically test whether we are living in a post-truth era.

Source: Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review

DOI: 10.37016/mr-2020-174

Authors: Damian Hodel, Jevin D. West

Institution: University of Washington

Language: English

Topic: Misinformation and Its Impacts

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Science Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, University of Washington

Awards: G3077282742, Collaborative Research: SaTC: CORE: Large: Rapid-Response Frameworks for Mitigating Online Disinformation