Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
College/School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department/Program
Psychology
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Michael Bixter
Committee Member
John Paul Wilson
Committee Member
Manuel Gonzalez
Abstract
As misinformation sweeps across the digital world, there is a need to better understand the psychological processes that underlie belief and susceptibility to online misinformation. The present study measured vulnerability to misinformation through a proxy construct of verifying online information. Using path modeling, we investigated how cognitive styles, as assessed by the Cognitive Reflection Test, predicted the extent individuals verify online information and content. The path model also investigated the mediating role of conspiracy mentality and pseudo-profound bullshit receptivity. Based on a U.S. sample of 194 adults, we found that the cognitive reflection test was positively related to verifying online information. Moreover, whereas a significant indirect effect was observed through the bullshit receptivity mediator, the indirect effect through conspiracy mentality was not significant. The conclusions and practical implications of the present results are discussed.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Chhetri, Sanjay Kumar, "Who Falls for Online Misinformation: Examining the Cognitive Correlates of Vulnerability to Misinformation" (2025). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1519.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1519