The Dark Side of Social Media: Misinformation, Negativity, and Polarisation

Jason Weismueller

doi:10.26182/0khg-3w38

The Dark Side of Social Media: Misinformation, Negativity, and Polarisation

Jason Weismueller

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

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Abstract

Misinformation is one of the greatest threats to our society. What is it though that makes people share misinformation with their audiences on social media? How does exposure to misinformation affect our attitudes and behavior? And what can various stakeholders do to help mitigate the spread of misinformation? I discuss eight studies that were designed to answer the aforementioned questions. These eight studies include the analysis over half a million social media posts shared more than 150 million times and online experiments with more than 800 US residents. This thesis makes several contributions to the literature on information sharing.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	Gruner, Richard L., Supervisor Harrigan, Paul, Supervisor Wang, Shasha, Supervisor
Award date	20 Dec 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26182/0khg-3w38
Publication status	Unpublished - 2023

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10.26182/0khg-3w38

THESIS - DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - WEISMUELLER Jason - 2023
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2 Article

Information sharing and political polarisation on social media: The role of falsehood and partisanship
Weismueller, J., Gruner, R. L., Harrigan, P., Coussement, K. & Wang, S., May 2024, In: Information Systems Journal. 34, 3, p. 854-893 40 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
9 Citations (Scopus)
What makes people share political content on social media? The role of emotion, authority and ideology
Weismueller, J., Harrigan, P., Coussement, K. & Tessitore, T., Apr 2022, In: Computers in Human Behavior. 129, 107150.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
44 Citations (Scopus)

Cite this

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title = "The Dark Side of Social Media: Misinformation, Negativity, and Polarisation",

abstract = "Misinformation is one of the greatest threats to our society. What is it though that makes people share misinformation with their audiences on social media? How does exposure to misinformation affect our attitudes and behavior? And what can various stakeholders do to help mitigate the spread of misinformation? I discuss eight studies that were designed to answer the aforementioned questions. These eight studies include the analysis over half a million social media posts shared more than 150 million times and online experiments with more than 800 US residents. This thesis makes several contributions to the literature on information sharing.",

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AB - Misinformation is one of the greatest threats to our society. What is it though that makes people share misinformation with their audiences on social media? How does exposure to misinformation affect our attitudes and behavior? And what can various stakeholders do to help mitigate the spread of misinformation? I discuss eight studies that were designed to answer the aforementioned questions. These eight studies include the analysis over half a million social media posts shared more than 150 million times and online experiments with more than 800 US residents. This thesis makes several contributions to the literature on information sharing.

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KW - Misinformation

KW - Political Polarisation

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KW - Sharing

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KW - Advertising

KW - Critical Thinking

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DO - 10.26182/0khg-3w38

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The Dark Side of Social Media: Misinformation, Negativity, and Polarisation

Abstract

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Research output

Information sharing and political polarisation on social media: The role of falsehood and partisanship

What makes people share political content on social media? The role of emotion, authority and ideology

Cite this