The Effects of Message Order and Debiasing Information in Misinformation Correction

Authors

  • Yue Dai Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong
  • Wenting Yu Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong
  • Fei Shen Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong

Keywords:

misinformation correction, primacy effect, recency effect, coherence, memory, inoculation

Abstract

Misinformation continues to influence inferences even after being discredited, making it extremely difficult to completely erase its detrimental effects. With a two-wave online experiment, this research tested how the effectiveness of misinformation correction is influenced by (1) whether correction is presented before or after misinformation and (2) whether correction is accompanied by a message that enhances the coherence between misinformation and correction message. The results showed that a correction was most effective when it was delivered after the misinformation and with a debiasing message. These effects persisted at least one week after the initial exposure to the correction. The results were consistent with the Knowledge Revision Components (KReC) framework and the schemata-plus-tag model of negation comprehension. The findings also provided a comprehension-based explanation to previous findings from meta-analysis regarding the order of presentation of misinformation and corrective messages. Practical implications for misinformation correction practices are discussed.

Author Biographies

Yue Dai, Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong

Nancy Dai is an assistant professor at the Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong. Her research examines person perception, relationship development, and persuasion processes that often take place in mediated environments or involve the use of communication technology.

Wenting Yu, Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong

Wenting Yu is a PhD student at the Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong.

Fei Shen, Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong

Fei Shen is associate professor at the Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong. His research interest includes public opinion, political communication, and new media.

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Published

2021-02-13

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Section

Articles