Those who are emotionally invested perceive political parties through different emotions and identify positive emotions (e.g. hope, joy) when their party experiences success and negative emotions (e.g. fear, outrage) when it is the opposing party that has victories.

Defining Emotionally Invested Individuals

From an emotional perspective, those who are more emotionally invested to politics (specifically, to a certain political party) face a greater likelihood of endorsing partisan political misinformation. 

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People are more likely to believe misinformation that favors their political opinions or worldviews while rejecting misinformation that challenges them. Reasoning for this primarily stems from two perspectives: cognitive and emotional. 

Reasons for Endorsing Political Misinformation

Sanchez, C., & Dunning, D. (2021). Cognitive and Emotional Correlates of Belief in Political Misinformation: Who Endorses Partisan Misbeliefs?. Emotion. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/emo0000948

Cognitive and Emotional Correlates of Belief in Political Misinformation: Who Endorses Partisan Beliefs?

Because higher cognitive abilities entail higher critical thinking skills, people are more prone to reject political misinformation, whether that misinformation aligns with their personal beliefs or not. Conversely, people exhibiting lower cognitive skills are more likely to endorse political misinformation, especially misbeliefs that are suited to their personal worldview. 

Cognitive Account

Emotional Account

Sanchez & Dunning (2021) conducted two experiments. Study 1 was carried out to determine if cognitive and/or emotional variables played a role in people believing partisan misbeliefs. Based on the results of Study 1, Study 2 was conducted to research how personal feelings of dissonance and validation are factors of endorsing political misinformation.

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