Active versus passive: evaluating the effectiveness of inoculation techniques in relation to misinformation about climate change

ABSTRACT Objective The current study evaluated whether an active inoculation (interactive skill development) or a passive inoculation message (provision of information) were effective tools for conferring resistance to misinformation about climate science in the context of extreme weather events. Method Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions: a control condition (no training); a passive inoculation condition; or an active inoculation condition. Participants completed demographic questions followed by training or no training and then evaluated a misinformation and factual article for reliability and persuasiveness. Results Participants in the active inoculation condition rated the reliability and persuasiveness of the misinformation article and the reliability of the factual article lower than participants in the control condition. Participants in the passive inoculation training did not rate the reliability and persuasiveness of a misinformation and factual article significantly differently to those in the control condition. When factors such as ideological worldview and climate change beliefs were controlled for however, the inoculation interventions had no significant effect on ratings of reliability and persuasiveness for a misinformation or factual article. Conclusion Inoculation seems to be a promising method of preventing the acceptance of misinformation on climate science. However, this analysis highlights that more investigation is required in order to determine the most effective inoculation training design. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Misinformation about the occurrence of anthropogenic climate change has led to a lack of support for policies which address climate change. (2) Inoculation theory and its application have been extensively studied and are considered an effective method for conferring resistance to persuasion. (3) There is some conflict within the literature as to whether an active or passive inoculation is the most effective method for conferring resistance. What this topic adds: (1) Further evidence for the effectiveness of inoculation interventions in the recent application to climate science misinformation. (2) Active inoculation was more effective than passive inoculation. (3) Need for further evaluation into the mechanisms which facilitate resistance to persuasion and therefore evoke attitude/behaviour change.