Social cognition and misinformation in context of a presidential campaign in Costa Rica
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/gmjmx21.41-528Keywords:
misinformation, social cognition, social media, electoral campaignAbstract
The present study investigated the contribution of cognitive, psychosocial and sociodemographic variables in the acceptance of false and true messages and the willingness to share them, in the context of the Costa Rican presidential campaign during the period of 2021-2022. A total of 187 people (71% women) were recruited via Facebook to participate in an online survey. The sample was exposed to a set of false and true messages and evaluated their veracity. Also, participants completed a questionnaire that measured the variables under study. Results showed that in-group identification, cognitive reflexivity, age, religiousness, and subjective income contributed to explain both the recognition of false and true messages and the tendency to share them.
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