자료유형  

 학위논문

Control Number  

0017161161

International Standard Book Number  

9798382757520

Dewey Decimal Classification Number  

384

Main Entry-Personal Name  

Saucier, Camille J.

Publication, Distribution, etc. (Imprint  

[S.l.] : Northwestern University., 2024

Publication, Distribution, etc. (Imprint  

Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2024

Physical Description  

165 p.

General Note  

Source: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 85-11, Section: B.

General Note  

Advisor: Walter, Nathan.

Dissertation Note  

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Northwestern University, 2024.

Summary, Etc.  

요약While there have been many attempts to correct existing misinformation or restrict the spread of online false content on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, these efforts frequently cannot keep pace with the variety and volume of misinformation. Indeed, retroactive mitigation efforts can appear Sisyphean with the degree of social reach and diffusion afforded to online media platforms. Compounding this problem, misinformation correction efforts have shown mixed results and can be context-dependent. Current methods of misinformation correction primarily target cognitive processing mechanisms such as updating beliefs or enhancing audiences' critical reasoning skills. However, particularly pernicious forms of misinformation- like conspiracy theories-are deeply linked to identity and values. Conspiracy theories are thus uniquely well-suited to motivated reasoning processes in which individuals interpret information according to their worldviews. This dissertation seeks to test motivationally grounded interventions to explore alternative means of curbing misinformation.The first study considers how motivational reasoning processes have been conceptualized and operationalized in the communication literature. Using a systematic literature review, it examined quantitative studies that included motivated reasoning as a theoretical basis for assessment (k = 143) while focusing on the framework's key components: motivation, reasoning, and responses. The findings identified several weaknesses in current methodological approaches, including a limited focus on distinct motivations, an underemphasis on reasoning, and a concentration on a narrow set of responses. Study 1 proposed the Motivation, Reasoning, Response Model (M-R-RM) to avoid these shortcomings in future research.Studies 2 and 3 used insights from Study 1 to manipulate self-affirmation motives. Study 2 satisfied and deprived affirmation motives using a 3 (no feedback/positive feedback/negative feedback) by 2 (no affirmation/self-affirmation) factorial experimental design (N = 601) and assessed participants' likelihood of engaging with conspiracy theories. Affirmed participants in the no-feedback condition were less likely to engage with a conspiracy theory than those who were not affirmed. These findings suggest that conspiracies perform a self-affirming role and indicate that conspiracy beliefs are motivated rather than purely cognitive.Study 3 built on Study 2 using a three-condition experiment (N = 592) manipulating a priori self-affirmation (no affirmation/traditional self-affirmation/conspiracy affirmation) to compare conspiracy theories with traditional self-affirmations and assess the cognitive processes involved. Results suggested that conspiracy affirmations exhibit cognitive processing patterns that correspond with expected traditional self-affirmation effects. Participants in both the traditional self-affirmation and conspiracy affirmation conditions self-reported reduced message derogation, counterarguing, and reactance, as well as more positive message evaluation among those with stronger conspiracy beliefs compared to those with weaker beliefs.The results from these studies highlight the importance of systematically evaluating motivations and their effects on cognitive processing, especially when assessing misinformation like conspiracies. This research provides evidence that conspiracies serve a self-affirming function for those who believe them. Therefore, satisfying self-affirmation goals may help divert interest in conspiracy theories before individuals access this information. Finally, conspiracies appear to influence cognitive processing in a manner similar to traditional self-affirmations. The broader implications of these findings on the study of motivations and conspiracy theories are discussed.

Subject Added Entry-Topical Term  

Communication.

Subject Added Entry-Topical Term  

Web studies.

Subject Added Entry-Topical Term  

Cognitive psychology.

Index Term-Uncontrolled  

Cognitive processing

Index Term-Uncontrolled  

Conspiracy theories

Index Term-Uncontrolled  

Motivated reasoning

Index Term-Uncontrolled  

Motivation

Index Term-Uncontrolled  

Self affirmation

Added Entry-Corporate Name  

Northwestern University Communication Studies

Host Item Entry  

Dissertations Abstracts International. 85-11B.

Electronic Location and Access  

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Control Number  

joongbu:655727