Responding to misinformation about climate change

ABSTRACT

This study examined responses to climate change misinformation and messages designed to counter misinformation. Participants (N = 406) first responded to a social media post denying the existence of global warming and then were randomly assigned to read one of three responses to the original post (correction, collaboration, control). Participants in the collaboration condition reported the highest likelihood of posting their own comment, were more likely to agree with or like the comment, and were less likely to be argumentative in their own response. Support of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions did not vary based on experimental condition.