The Psychology of Misinformation

Jon Roozenbeek is an award-winning researcher from the University of Cambridge, whose work straddles psychology, area studies, and computer science. He studies the psychology of misinformation and group identity in times of conflict, and authored Propaganda and Ideology in the Russian-Ukrainian War (2024). Sander van der Linden is Professor of Social Psychology in Society and Director of the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab at the University of Cambridge. He is ranked among the top 1% of highly cited social scientists worldwide.

'Beware! The Psychology of Misinformation is a truth-shattering expedition into the darkest corners of human fallibility. Brace yourself for mind-boggling insights, jaw-dropping experiments, and countless 'aha' moments. Once you see through the smoke and mirrors, you will never fall for a phony conspiracy theory again.' Jay Van Bavel, New York University

• Prologue; Part I. Setting The Stage: 1. Defining misinformation; 2. A history of misinformation; 3. Do we have a misinformation problem; Part II. Misinformation Belief and Spread: 4. Why do people believe and share misinformation; 5. Echo chambers and filter bubbles; Part III. Countering Misinformation: 6. Laws and regulation; 7. Interventions to combat misinformation; 8. Reflecting on our own program of research.