Individuals with high cognitive ability are less likely to fall for fake news and share it on social media. This may be attributed to their efficient information processing and better decision-making ability.

Cognitive Ability and Vulnerability to Misinformation

Studies have explored the role of personality traits in misinformation-sharing behavior. However, mixed findings imply the need for further validation.

Personality Traits and Vulnerability to Misinformation

The present study found that younger individuals are more likely to believe and exhibit intentions to share misinformation. This may be because they react to information overload on social media and end up sharing misinformation.

Age and Vulnerability to Misinformation

Partisanship plays a crucial role in believing and sharing intention of misinformation. The present study found that individuals are more likely to believe misinformation that aligns with their partisan stand. 

Political Ideology and Vulnerability to Misinformation

 - Age
 - Political ideology
 - Political engagement
 - Cognitive ability
 - Personality traits

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Research has investigated specific demographic characteristics and contexts that may make certain people/countries/communities more likely to experience misinformation related to COVID-19.

Demographics/Contexts Related to COVID-19 Misinformation

Ahmed, S. & Tan, H. W. (2022). Personality and perspicacity: Role of personality traits and cognitive ability in political misinformation discernment and sharing behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 196, 111747-. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111747

Personality and perspicacity: Role of personality traits and cognitive ability in political misinformation discernment and sharing behavior

Research has investigated how misinformation can spread on social media and can have a cascading effect in the creation of conspiracy theories.

Internet and the Spread of Misinformation

Some research has specifically investigated how different cultures are different or similar in relation to misinformation-related measures.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After