Addressing Misperceptions Takes More Than Combating Fake News

Abstract

Misinformation research should broaden its focus beyond 'fake news' to understand how people develop misperceptions and make misinformed decisions. New research directions include: (i) studying false claims from elites and accurate-but-misleading content; (ii) measuring behavioral outcomes in addition to belief and sharing; and (iii) reevaluating existing interventions in these contexts.