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Disinformation for Hire: Examining the Production of False COVID-19 Information

Author

Listed:
  • Alain Cohn

    (University of Michigan)

  • Jan Stoop

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Hatim A. Rahman

    (Northwestern University)

Abstract

Misinformation is linked to increased social divisions and adverse health outcomes. While most research focuses on the spread of misinformation, we examine the production of misinformation intended to mislead (disinformation). Our field experiment (N=1,200) found, adjusting for circumstantial factors, 87% of workers in an online labor market completed a job requesting them to create a misleading COVID-19 graph. Viewing a disinformation graph from the experiment negatively affected people’s beliefs and behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased vaccine hesitancy. Using a “wisdom-of-crowds” approach, we highlight how online labor markets can introduce features that may reduce the production of disinformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Alain Cohn & Jan Stoop & Hatim A. Rahman, 2022. "Disinformation for Hire: Examining the Production of False COVID-19 Information," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 22-086/II, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20220086
    as

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    File URL: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/22086.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dimant, Eugen, 2015. "On Peer Effects: Behavioral Contagion of (Un)Ethical Behavior and the Role of Social Identity," MPRA Paper 68732, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    3. Dimant, Eugen, 2019. "Contagion of pro- and anti-social behavior among peers and the role of social proximity," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 66-88.
    4. Claire M. Hart & Timothy D. Ritchie & Erica G. Hepper & Jochen E. Gebauer, 2015. "The Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding Short Form (BIDR-16)," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(4), pages 21582440156, December.
    5. William D. Brink & Tim V. Eaton & Jonathan H. Grenier & Andrew Reffett, 2019. "Deterring Unethical Behavior in Online Labor Markets," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 71-88, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    disinformation; field experiment; online labor markets; immoral work;
    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
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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