Climate Change-related Counter-attitudinal Fake News Exposure and its Effects on Search and Selection Behavior

IF 3 3区社会学 Q1 COMMUNICATION

Environmental Communication-A Journal of Nature and Culture Pub Date : 2023-08-10 DOI:10.1080/17524032.2023.2239516

Monika Taddicken, Laura Wolff

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT Disinformation in today’s high-choice media environment, particularly regarding environment- and science-related issues, poses threats to individuals and society. It is argued that online users turn primarily to attitude-confirming content (selective exposure effects) which amplifies existing opinions and societal polarization. However, with the increasing prevalence of online disinformation and fake news, it is also likely that people will be exposed to disinformation that contradicts their current beliefs. Regarding the controversial issue of anthropogenic climate change, we elucidate how users react when they are (incidentally) exposed to counter-attitudinal anthropogenity-denying fake news by investigating their search and selection behavior after the exposure. The innovative research design of our case study includes pre- and post-surveys, stimulus exposure, and content analyses of web activities (n = 39). Importantly, the exposure to climate-change-denying fake news decreased acceptance of climate change and its human causes. Selection behavior was mainly attitude-confirming, while search behavior was more diverse. Journalistic sources were used most often and for longest. Individual characteristics affected searches and selections. KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTS In the information-saturated online environment comprising scientifically correct and incorrect information, users are frequently exposed to counter-attitudinal fake news, e.g. videos denying anthropogenic climate change. After exposure to an attitude-opposing fake news video, participants’ climate change acceptance decreased. In a free internet search after stimulus exposure, attitude-confirming anthropogenity-accepting positions and journalistic content dominated users’ selection but not search behavior. Future climate change-related communication activities should note that participants who stated they knew little about climate change knowledge were mainly interested in solution-oriented websites. The higher participants’ willingness to take personal responsibility or acknowledge others’ responsibility, the more they searched for anthropogenity-opposing content.

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气候变化相关逆态度假新闻曝光及其对搜索选择行为的影响

在当今高度选择性的媒体环境中，虚假信息，特别是与环境和科学相关的问题，对个人和社会构成了威胁。认为网络用户主要转向态度确认内容(选择性曝光效应)，这放大了现有的意见和社会两极分化。然而，随着网上虚假信息和假新闻的日益流行，人们也有可能接触到与他们当前信念相矛盾的虚假信息。关于有争议的人为气候变化问题，我们通过调查用户在暴露后的搜索和选择行为，阐明用户在(偶然)暴露于反态度的否认人为的假新闻时的反应。本案例研究的创新研究设计包括前调查和后调查、刺激暴露和网络活动的内容分析(n = 39)。重要的是，接触否认气候变化的假新闻降低了人们对气候变化及其人为原因的接受度。选择行为主要是态度确认，而搜索行为则更为多样。新闻来源的使用频率最高，时间最长。个别特征影响搜索和选择。在信息饱和的网络环境中，包括科学正确和不正确的信息，用户经常接触到反态度的假新闻，例如否认人为气候变化的视频。在观看了反对态度的假新闻视频后，参与者对气候变化的接受度下降了。在刺激暴露后的自由网络搜索中，态度确认的人类接受立场和新闻内容主导了用户的选择，而不是搜索行为。未来与气候变化相关的传播活动应注意到，自称对气候变化知识知之甚少的参与者主要对以解决方案为导向的网站感兴趣。参与者承担个人责任或承认他人责任的意愿越高，他们搜索反人类内容的次数就越多。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Environmental Communication-A Journal of Nature and Culture Multiple-

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

7.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： Environmental Communication is an international, peer-reviewed forum for multidisciplinary research and analysis assessing the many intersections among communication, media, society, and environmental issues. These include but are not limited to debates over climate change, natural resources, sustainability, conservation, wildlife, ecosystems, water, environmental health, food and agriculture, energy, and emerging technologies. Submissions should contribute to our understanding of scientific controversies, political developments, policy solutions, institutional change, cultural trends, media portrayals, public opinion and participation, and/or professional decisions. Articles often seek to bridge gaps between theory and practice, and are written in a style that is broadly accessible and engaging.