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In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Social Psychology, researchers have uncovered why some people persistently endorse easily disproven claims, revealing a psychological pattern that transcends traditional explanations of misinformation spread.
Social psychologists Randy Stein from California State Polytechnic University and Abraham Rutchick from California State University surveyed over 5,500 individuals across eight countries to investigate the factors driving belief in COVID-19 misinformation, such as false claims linking 5G networks to the virus.
Their findings identify a surprising predictor of misinformation belief: individuals who view issues through a lens of symbolic strength versus weakness. For these people, endorsing false information isn’t about factual accuracy but rather represents a symbolic victory against perceived external control.
“The strongest predictor of whether someone believed in COVID-19-related misinformation was whether they viewed COVID-19 prevention efforts in terms of symbolic strength and weakness,” the researchers explain. This factor outweighed conventional predictors such as general attitudes toward COVID-19, thinking style, or even political affiliation.
The study measured this mindset by gauging agreement with statements like “Following coronavirus prevention guidelines means you have backed down” and “Continuous coronavirus coverage in the media is a sign we are losing.” Those who agreed with such statements tended to view reality not as a matter of objective facts but as a battlefield for psychological independence.
For individuals with this symbolic mindset, rejecting public health measures during the pandemic wasn’t primarily about the actual effectiveness of masks or vaccines. Instead, these actions represented resistance against external influence—a psychological stand against what they perceived as control over their beliefs.
“When people think symbolically this way, the literal issue—here, fighting COVID-19—is secondary to a psychological war over people’s minds,” the researchers note. This explains why some would reject preventative measures even when they offered clear physical benefits.
This pattern extends beyond pandemic-related beliefs. In a separate study examining cryptocurrency attitudes, the researchers found that people who viewed crypto investment as a symbol of independence from traditional finance were more likely to believe in various conspiracy theories, including government concealment of alien contact evidence.
The implications extend to politics, where the research shows strong connections between this symbolic thinking pattern and authoritarian attitudes. This link helps explain why autocratic leaders often deploy misinformation as a tool to impress and control populations. The more outlandish or easily disproved a claim, the more it signals strength through an unwillingness to be swayed by facts.
The findings highlight a critical challenge in combating misinformation. Traditional fact-checking efforts may be ineffective against those with symbolic mindsets because, as the researchers put it, “literal truth is not the point.” When former President Donald Trump incorrectly claimed in August 2025 that Washington D.C.’s crime rates were at an all-time high, the resulting fact-checks and analyses missed the symbolic purpose of such assertions.
“To someone with a symbolic mindset, debunkers merely demonstrate that they’re the ones reacting, and are therefore weak,” the researchers explain. “What matters is signaling one isn’t listening and won’t be swayed.”
This dynamic helps explain why some political figures make statements that appear deliberately provocative or false. The research suggests that making outlandish claims can paradoxically appear “authentic” to supporters who prioritize symbolic strength over factual accuracy.
Political theorist Murray Edelman’s work on political symbolism provides historical context for these findings. Politicians often prefer symbolic victories over substantive results because they’re easier to achieve and can substitute for tangible benefits when leaders have little concrete progress to offer.
The study opens new avenues for understanding misinformation resilience and suggests that addressing false beliefs may require strategies that account for these symbolic dimensions rather than focusing solely on factual corrections.
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16 Comments
This study provides valuable insights into the psychology behind belief in disinformation. The idea that it’s more about symbolic strength than factual accuracy is a really interesting angle. It suggests the need for a more holistic approach to addressing the problem of misinformation.
Yes, the researchers have uncovered an important factor that seems to drive the persistence of disinformation, even in the face of contradictory evidence. Understanding these underlying psychological motivations could be key to developing more effective strategies to promote critical thinking and media literacy.
This study on the psychology of disinformation belief is a valuable contribution to the ongoing efforts to combat the spread of false information. The insights about ‘symbolic strength’ versus ‘weakness’ are quite thought-provoking.
Agreed. Understanding the underlying motivations behind misinformation belief is crucial for developing more effective strategies. This research could help inform educational campaigns and interventions to promote critical thinking and media literacy.
The finding that belief in disinformation is linked to a desire for symbolic strength rather than factual accuracy is fascinating. It suggests the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing the problem, one that goes beyond simply providing accurate information.
Absolutely. This research highlights the importance of understanding the psychological drivers behind misinformation belief. Crafting interventions that appeal to people’s sense of identity and belonging, rather than just the facts, could be a more effective way to counter false narratives.
This study provides valuable context on why some people cling to disinformation, even in the face of contradictory evidence. The notion of ‘symbolic strength’ is a thought-provoking factor to consider in the fight against misinformation.
Absolutely. Addressing the psychological underpinnings, rather than just the facts, could be a more effective approach to combating the spread of false narratives. Interesting to see how this research can inform strategies to promote critical thinking.
The link between norm defiance and belief in disinformation is an important finding. It suggests that simply providing accurate information may not be enough to change some people’s minds. Understanding the deeper psychological motivations is crucial.
Yes, this research highlights the need for a more holistic approach to addressing misinformation. Appealing to people’s sense of identity and belonging, in addition to the facts, could be a more effective way to counter false narratives.
This research on the psychology of disinformation belief is a valuable contribution to our understanding of this complex issue. The finding that it’s more about symbolic strength than factual accuracy is a really interesting and important insight. It suggests that simply providing accurate information may not be enough, and that addressing the underlying psychological drivers could be key to combating the spread of false narratives.
Yes, this study underscores the importance of taking a more holistic approach to addressing the problem of misinformation. Appealing to people’s psychological needs and motivations, in addition to the facts, could be a more effective strategy for promoting critical thinking and media literacy. This research could have significant implications for how we approach this challenge going forward.
The link between norm defiance and belief in disinformation is a really thought-provoking finding. It suggests that the problem of misinformation is not just about factual errors, but also about deeper psychological needs and motivations. This research could have important implications for how we approach combating false narratives.
Absolutely. This study highlights the need for a more nuanced, multifaceted approach to addressing the spread of disinformation. Appealing to people’s sense of identity and belonging, in addition to providing accurate information, could be a more effective way to counter false narratives and promote critical thinking.
Interesting research on the psychology behind belief in disinformation. Seems like it’s more about perceived ‘symbolic strength’ than factual accuracy for some people. Curious to see if this pattern holds true for other types of misinformation as well.
Yes, that’s a fascinating insight. The need to defy perceived external control seems to override the facts for certain individuals. Understanding these underlying psychological drivers is key to addressing the spread of misinformation.