A meta-analysis of third-person perception related to distorted information: Synthesizing the effect, antecedents, and consequences

Abstract

In the long run of fighting distorted information, empowering Internet users is believed to be an economic and sustainable solution. The effectiveness of this approach relies on the assumption that Internet users pay close attention to and hold unbiased perceptions of the distorted information. To obtain a systematic examination of people's perceptions of the distorted information, we performed a two-part meta-analysis based on 24 articles with 20,777 participants across three continents. Drawing on the third-person perception/effect (TPP/TPE) framework, Part I synthesized the literature examining the perpetual gap of distorted information's influence on self and others. Based on 28 effect sizes, the results confirmed a strong third-person perception related to distorted information (d = 0.614, p