The role of personality traits and online behavior in belief in fake news

The current study examines how careless online behavior and personality traits are related to the detection of fake news. We tested the relationships among accurately distinguishing between fake and real news headlines, careless online behavioral tendencies, and the HEXACO and dark triad personality...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Humanities & social sciences communications 2024-09, Vol.11 (1), p.1126-10, Article 1126
Main Authors: Peter, Erika L., Kwantes, Peter J., D’Agata, Madeleine T., Vallikanthan, Janani
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antisocial personality disorder
Behavior
Conspiracy
COVID-19 vaccines
Disease transmission
Endorsements
False information
Honesty
Narcissism
Pandemics
Personality traits
Public health
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Summary:The current study examines how careless online behavior and personality traits are related to the detection of fake news. We tested the relationships among accurately distinguishing between fake and real news headlines, careless online behavioral tendencies, and the HEXACO and dark triad personality traits. Poorer discernment between fake and real news headlines was associated with greater careless behavior online (i.e., greater online disinhibition, greater risky online behavior, greater engagement with strangers online, and less suspicion of others’ intentions online), as well as lower Conscientiousness, Openness, and Honesty-Humility, and greater dark triad traits. Implications for the literature as well as potential interventions to reduce susceptibility to misinformation and fake news are discussed.
ISSN:2662-9992
2662-9992
DOI:10.1057/s41599-024-03573-6