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.

  • octopus_inkEnglish
    74·
    2 days ago

    J.D. Vance tripled down on his debunked claims that Haitian immigrants are killing and eating local pets in Springfield, Ohio, while also admitting, “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

    https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/jd-vance-haitians-if-i-have-to-create-stories-1235102572/

    Also in - blatant baldfaced fabrications from their candidates don’t matter to R any more than racism, bigotry, misogyny, or convicted felon status*.

     

    *as long as it’s a Republican felon