Study: Republicans Respond to Political Polarization by Spreading Misinformation, Democrats Don't
www.ama.org
This Journal of Marketing study finds Republicans react to political polarization by sharing misinformation. The study calls for stronger fact-checking, media literacy education, and less polarizing rhetoric from political figures and media outlets.

Summary

A new Journal of Marketing study finds that political polarization drives Republicans to spread misinformation to gain partisan advantage, while Democrats do not exhibit this behavior.

Republicans value winning highly and are more likely to share misinformation, even when its truth is questionable.

Six studies, including analyses of fact-checked statements, surveys, and presidential speeches, support these findings.

The spread of misinformation undermines democratic processes, such as increased restrictive voting laws after the 2020 election.

Researchers suggest reducing polarization, investing in fact-checking, and expanding media literacy education to combat misinformation’s impact.

  • dhork@lemmy.worldEnglish
    36·
    6 days ago

    Note that while this study examines statements made by politicians, is actually analyzes the behavior of the general public:

    We verify our findings in three online studies where we surveyed U.S. adults who identified as either Republican or Democrat.

    The way I read this is not that Republican politicians lie, and Democrats don’t. Rather, I think it means that ordinary Republicans have no problem spreading statements on Social Media that have no basis in fact, if it matches their preconceived notions. While Democrats are less likely to do that.

    This does have an effect on politicians, as Democratic politicians understand that it is harder for them to make blatant lies go viral than it is for Republican ones. It is a lot easier to craft an effective media message when it doesn’t need to be consistent or truthful.

    Why is this? I think it’s because a large part of social media these days is making content that gets echoed by someone’s followers. And from my personal experience, Republicans in general are much more likely to blindly forward rage-baity stuff without checking into it first. Some Democrats, by contrast, are likely to actually read the content first and only forward on things they believe might have a basis in fact. They may not always do this, and may not always be correct when they do. But just this small check has the effect of minimizing blatantly false Liberal propaganda on social media. (Except possibly here, lol!)

    • frezik@midwest.social
      21·
      6 days ago

      The book “On Bullshit” lays out a specific definition of bullshit. It’s not just lying, because lying implies you know truth exists. Bullshit disregards truth entirely. If you are a bullshiter, you might mention something that happens to be true, but it’s almost an accident.

      That’s the difference. Democrats might lie, but Republicans bullshit.