Misinformation Susceptibility

Misinformation susceptibility refers to individual differences in the likelihood that a person will accept, believe in, or be persuaded by false or misleading claims. This is a measurable, latent psychological trait that varies across individuals and can be assessed using validated instruments such as the MIST (Misinformation Susceptibility Test).

Susceptibility encompasses both trait-level differences (stable propensities based on cognitive style, education, personality, or exposure patterns) and state-level factors (temporary increases in vulnerability due to emotional distress, cognitive load, or specific contexts like emergencies or crisis events).

Key papers

• The Psychology of Misinformation and Psychological Inoculation — introduces and validates the MIST across US and UK populations, showing substantial individual variation and demographic patterns

Related topics

• User Susceptibility to Fake News (broader measure of engagement with misinformation)
• Psychological Drivers Misinformation (cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying susceptibility)
• Media literacy (education-based approaches to reducing susceptibility)
• Inoculation and prebunking (interventions to build resistance)