Determinants of Gullibility to Misinformation: A Study of Climate Change, COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This article explores whether susceptibility to misinformation is context-dependent. For this purpose, a survey experiment has been conducted in which subjects from Germany had to rate the reliability of several statements in the fields of climate change, COVID-19 and artificial intelligence. These contexts differed with respect to the frequency of media coverage, population activity in the form of demonstrations, daily number of deaths, and scientific knowledge. We find some similarities (for example, trust in social networks is positively associated with falling for misinformation in all three contexts) but also substantial differences (for example, risk perception as well as the extent to which people consider evidence to adjust their beliefs seem to matter for climate change and COVID-19 but not for artificial intelligence). More systematic work on context-related differences and narratives is required to design adequate measures against misinformation. JEL: C91, D01, D80.