07/12/2023
By Karen Mullins

The School of Criminology and Justice Studies is proud to announce a Dissertation Defense by Presley L. McGarry entitled, "Examining the Intersection of The Psychological and Physiological Aspects of Activism and Radicalism Following Exposure to Misinformation."

Wednesday, July 26
2- 3:30 p.m.
HSSB Rm 431 and via Zoom

Committee:

  • Neil Shortland, Ph.D., Chair
  • Jill Portnoy, Ph.D.
  • Kelly Socia, Ph.D.
  • Joseph Schwartz, Ph.D.

Abstract

This dissertation explores the impact of individual differences on engagement with, and susceptibility to, misinformation. Specifically, it focuses on the intersection of the psychological and physiological determinants of shifts in cognitions and behavior both during, and following exposure to vaccine-related misinformation in an online setting. Over the past few years, misinformation has had an increasing effect on public discourse and safety at a national and global level. From the COVID-19 pandemic to national elections, society is increasingly confronted with the negative impact of misinformation. Exposure to misinformation has been linked to conflicting perceptions of social, economic, and political issues, which has been found to lead to polarization, radicalization, and even acts of violence. As such, there is growing investment in research to identify the different forms misinformation takes, how it is shared, and resulting societal impact. However, there remains little understanding of the mechanisms that affect individual responses to misinformation and any resulting shifts in behavior. Disproportionate focus on the characteristics of misinformation excludes consideration of the personal and situational factors individuals bring each time they interact with online content. In response, this body of work reflects on the use of a novel, interdisciplinary approach to the study of misinformation. The EXTREME inventory allows for the measure of individual responses to misinformation in a controlled way. The ability to expose individuals to misinformation will provide new insight on 1) theoretical explanations for how misinformation can cause shifts in cognitions and behavior, 2) the impact of individual differences in psychophysiological states and various personality traits on the influence of misinformation and 3) how exposure to misinformation can affect willingness to engage in various forms of political mobilization (activism and radicalism) at the individual level.