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Debunking Rumors in Networks

Author

Listed:
  • Luca P. Merlino
  • Paolo Pin
  • Nicole Tabasso

Abstract

We study the diffusion of a true and a false message (the rumor) in a social network. Upon hearing a message, individuals may believe it, disbelieve it, or debunk it through costly verification. Whenever the truth survives in steady state, so does the rumor. Communication intensity in itself is irrelevant for relative rumor prevalence, and the effect of homophily depends on the exact verification process and equilibrium verification rates. Our model highlights that successful policies in the fight against rumors increase individuals' incentives to verify.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca P. Merlino & Paolo Pin & Nicole Tabasso, 2023. "Debunking Rumors in Networks," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(1), pages 467-496, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmic:v:15:y:2023:i:1:p:467-96
    DOI: 10.1257/mic.20200403
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    Cited by:

    1. Krishna Dasaratha & Kevin He, 2025. "Learning from Viral Content," PIER Working Paper Archive 25-021, Penn Institute for Economic Research, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania.
    2. Tuval Danenberg & Drew Fudenberg, 2024. "Endogenous Attention and the Spread of False News," Papers 2406.11024, arXiv.org.
    3. Bizzarri, Matteo & Panebianco, Fabrizio & Pin, Paolo, 2025. "Homophily and infections: Static and dynamic effects," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 235-259.
    4. Della Lena, Sebastiano, 2024. "The spread of misinformation in networks with individual and social learning," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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