Effect of Presentation Style and Viewer Characteristics on Trust in False Media Information

Submitting Student(s)

Cheyenne Sola
Michelle Carter

Session Title

Poster Session 2

Faculty Mentor

Merry Sleigh, Ph.D

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

We created a false mental health disorder, fear of future anxiety (FOFA) and presented the information in different online formats. Participants were young adults with a mean age of 22.72 (SD = 7.94). They were primarily White (59.4%), and women (73.1%). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions that exposed them to the same made-up mental illness created by the researchers (FOFA or Fear of Future Anxiety). Participants took a fake diagnostic test, were assigned to read a short story about someone diagnosed with FOFA, or read information that mimicked a diagnostic manual. After a manipulation check, participants shared their perception of FOFA and responded to scales to assess intuition, social media engagement, skepticism, social media trust, and self-esteem. We found that adults who engaged more with social media were also more accepting of the fake disorder. People higher in self-esteem and skepticism were somewhat protected from making this mistake. Young adults overall accepted FOFA, even feeling sympathy for those who had it. The format of presentation had little impact. The personal story interested participants in the disorder the most, while the self-diagnostic test encouraged continuation in the study and recognition of the diagnosis in others. Perceptions of FOFA were consistent across race and skepticism levels. Women were more accepting of FOFA than men, likely reflecting gender differences in perceptions of mental health in general. These findings add to the increasing understanding of and concern for the power of social media in the domain of mental-health education.

Course Assignment

PSYC 302 – Sleigh

Previously Presented/Performed?

Winthrop University Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023.

Type of Presentation

Poster presentation

Start Date

15-4-2023 12:00 PM

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Apr 15th, 12:00 PM

Effect of Presentation Style and Viewer Characteristics on Trust in False Media Information

We created a false mental health disorder, fear of future anxiety (FOFA) and presented the information in different online formats. Participants were young adults with a mean age of 22.72 (SD = 7.94). They were primarily White (59.4%), and women (73.1%). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions that exposed them to the same made-up mental illness created by the researchers (FOFA or Fear of Future Anxiety). Participants took a fake diagnostic test, were assigned to read a short story about someone diagnosed with FOFA, or read information that mimicked a diagnostic manual. After a manipulation check, participants shared their perception of FOFA and responded to scales to assess intuition, social media engagement, skepticism, social media trust, and self-esteem. We found that adults who engaged more with social media were also more accepting of the fake disorder. People higher in self-esteem and skepticism were somewhat protected from making this mistake. Young adults overall accepted FOFA, even feeling sympathy for those who had it. The format of presentation had little impact. The personal story interested participants in the disorder the most, while the self-diagnostic test encouraged continuation in the study and recognition of the diagnosis in others. Perceptions of FOFA were consistent across race and skepticism levels. Women were more accepting of FOFA than men, likely reflecting gender differences in perceptions of mental health in general. These findings add to the increasing understanding of and concern for the power of social media in the domain of mental-health education.