Efficiency of Empathetic Refutation Styles on Reducing Misinformation Influence in Mass Communication Context.
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2026-01-14
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
The present study tested three emphatic styles (cognitive, affective and compassion), in the context of mass communication, by employing them in a refutation and comparing their ability to reduce misinformation influence compared to a non-empathetic control refutation. A a 2 x 4 mixed design was used, with time as within-subject variable, and refutation style as between-subject variable. Dutch participants aged 18-34 (N = 135) performed a pre-test on their beliefs, were then exposed to misinformation stimulus, followed by one of the four refutation styles. Results were measured in belief change, attitude, trust in source and sharing intention. Results showed no significant effects of refutation style on belief change, attitude and sharing intention, as the only significant effect was found for trust. Affective empathy scored significantly lower than the other refutation styles, suggesting affective empathy may undermine trust and credibility. Overall, no evidence empathetic refutation could mitigate misinformation effect was found.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Letteren