Understanding the Human Side of False Information

Abstract

Extant research on false information has mostly taken an objective view where we are sure as to what is true and what is false. This stems from the need for researchers to properly identify false information for analysis. Despite benefits like certainty, the objective view is not necessarily the human user’s experience. Interactions with false information are equifinal black boxes for third-party observers. However, social media users must wade through real-time uncertainty on social media while researchers have certainty after the event. This disparity in experience leads researchers to partial understanding and partial solutions. We draw on difference theory to review false information research via a subjective perspective. A dialectical model is proposed to unpack and explain the subjective human experience of false information and identify future avenues of research.