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Social Proximity and Misinformation: Experimental Evidence from a Mobile Phone-Based Campaign in India

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  • Armand, Alex
  • Augsburg, Britta
  • Bancalari, Antonella
  • Kameshwara, Kalyan Kumar

Abstract

We study how social proximity between the sender and the receiver of information shapes the effectiveness of preventive health campaigns. Focusing on shared religious affiliation as a signal of proximity, we implemented a field experiment during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in two major Indian cities characterized by Hindu-Muslim tensions. We randomly allocated a representative sample of slum residents to receive either "doctor messages" consisting of voice messages promoting recommended practices to prevent virus transmission or uninformative control messages on their mobile phones. The messages, introduced by a local citizen (the sender), were cross-randomized to commence with a greeting signaling either a Hindu or a Muslim identity, thereby manipulating the religion concordance between the sender and receiver. As compared to control messages, doctor messages are effective at improving compliance with recommended practices. However, the impact of these messages is contingent on the presence of religion concordance. In instances of concordance, the take-up of doctor messages is larger, and the intervention demonstrates efficacy in establishing a protective barrier against misinformation related to preventive practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Armand, Alex & Augsburg, Britta & Bancalari, Antonella & Kameshwara, Kalyan Kumar, 2022. "Social Proximity and Misinformation: Experimental Evidence from a Mobile Phone-Based Campaign in India," CEPR Discussion Papers 16492, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16492
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health; Information; Religion; India; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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