A1 Journal article (refereed)
Trust but verify? : Examining the role of trust in institutions in the spread of unverified information on social media (2024)

van Zoonen, W., Luoma-aho, V., & Lievonen, M. (2024). Trust but verify? : Examining the role of trust in institutions in the spread of unverified information on social media. Computers in Human Behavior, 150, Article 107992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107992

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: van Zoonen, Ward; Luoma-aho, Vilma; Lievonen, Matias

Journal or series: Computers in Human Behavior

ISSN: 0747-5632

eISSN: 1873-7692

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 17/10/2023

Volume: 150

Article number: 107992

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107992

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/91831

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the association between trust in institutions and the reasons for sharing unverified information on social media. Specifically, this study explores the role of perceived self-efficacy in detecting misinformation and the motivation to authenticate information in online contexts. We draw on a sample of 2600 respondents, mainly Generation Z and Millennials (ages between 15 and 30). The findings show a blinding side of trust, revealing a positive association between trust in institutions on social media and reasons for sharing unverified information. Trust in institutions is positively associated with perceived self-efficacy in detecting misinformation. We suggest that the positive correlation between trust in institutions and perceived self-efficacy in detecting misinformation implies an overconfidence effect – i.e., individuals may overestimate their ability to assess information based on their belief that a source (institution) is trustworthy. This arguably represents a tendency to divert attention away from the accuracy of the information and explains the positive indirect association between trust and the likelihood of sharing unverified content. Moreover, trust is negatively associated with individuals' motivation to authenticate information, suggesting that individuals may rely on information utility rather than engage in critical thinking and verification. This study contributes to understanding the spread of misinformation on social media by highlighting the role of trust in institutions and its association with individuals' reasons for sharing unverified information. It also emphasizes the importance of perceived self-efficacy in detecting misinformation and the motivation to authenticate information as mediating mechanisms.

Keywords: trust; institutions (social mechanisms); information; authentication; social media; disinformation; fake news; self-efficacy; generation z; generation Y

Free keywords: trust in institutions; reasons for sharing unverified information; motivation for authentication; self-efficacy; misinformation; social media; generation Z; millennials

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3