People have a desire and need to connect and relate with others. The study found that there was indeed a correlation between socialisation gratification and the dissemination of fake news.

New York University

The goal of the study was to study/determine the factors that lead to the sharing of misinformation. Apuke & Omar analyzed data to determine the effects of six variables on the outcome of COVID-19 fake news sharing. The six variables are:
- altruism
- information sharing 
- entertainment
- socialisation
- information seeking
- pass time

Fake news and COVID-19: modelling the predictors of fake news sharing among social media users

Apuke, O. D., & Omar, B. (2021). Fake news and COVID-19: modelling the predictors of fake news sharing among social media users. Telematics and Informatics, 56, 101475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2020.101475

Altruism relating to news sharing equates to the the act of disseminating information without the expectation of rewards for such an act. Results of the study show that results showed that altruism was the most significant factor that predicted fake news sharing of COVID-19.

Altruism Gratification and Fake News Sharing

People attain entertainment gratification when when individuals use social media to pass time, escape from their everyday lives, or just generally engage in any act relating to social media that they find entertaining. However, contrary to their initial hypothesis, the study found no relationship between entertainment gratification and fake news sharing.

Entertainment Gratification and fake news sharing

Socialisation and Fake News Sharing

People often use social media as a way to pass time, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. And there is less tendency to verify the information before passing it on. And indeed, the study found a positive link between passing time and fake news sharing.

Passing Time and Fake News Sharing

In this particular study, information seeking is defined as the extent social media can offer essential and up-to-date information. The study found a positive correlation between information seeking and the sharing of CoVID-19 fake news.

Information seeking and fake news sharing

Information sharing stems from the need to offer information to others. And due to social media, it has become easier for people to take part in the creation and dissemination of information by sharing news on these platforms. The study found a positive link between information sharing and COVID-19 fake new sharing.

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