Education-Based Gap in Misinformation Acceptance: Does the Gap Increase as Misinformation Exposure Increases?

Based on the knowledge gap hypothesis as a theoretical framework, the present study examines (a) whether there is an education-based gap in misinformation acceptance, (b) whether the education-based gap could be explained by differences in issue knowledge, information processing, and media dependenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communication research 2023-03, Vol.50 (2), p.157-178
Main Authors: Hwang, Yoori, Jeong, Se-Hoon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Data processing
Education
Exposure
False information
Hypotheses
Information Processing
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Summary:Based on the knowledge gap hypothesis as a theoretical framework, the present study examines (a) whether there is an education-based gap in misinformation acceptance, (b) whether the education-based gap could be explained by differences in issue knowledge, information processing, and media dependency, and (c) whether the education-based gap in misinformation acceptance widens as the level of exposure to misinformation increases. We conducted a survey of 821 Korean adults regarding their acceptance of misinformation related to COVID-19 vaccination. First, we found that there was an education-based gap in misinformation acceptance such that those with lower education were more likely to accept misinformation. Second, we found that the effect was mediated by low issue knowledge, less systematic processing, and dependency on social media. Third, the education-based gap in misinformation acceptance widened when misinformation exposure increased. These results are consistent with the knowledge gap hypothesis and the theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.
ISSN:0093-6502
1552-3810
DOI:10.1177/00936502221121509