Individuals high in agreeableness may be less likely to contribute to the propagation of misinformation.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Studies have explored the role of personality traits in misinformation-sharing behavior. However, mixed findings imply the need for further validation.

Personality Traits and Vulnerability to Misinformation

Willingness to share a message one has just read. Experimentally measured using the following items: “I am willing to share this information with my friends or family” and “I think this information is worth sharing with my friends or family.”

Sharing Intention

Ahmed, S. & Tan, H. W. (2022). Personality and perspicacity: Role of personality traits and cognitive ability in political misinformation discernment and sharing behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 196, 111747-. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111747

Personality and perspicacity: Role of personality traits and cognitive ability in political misinformation discernment and sharing behavior

The sharing intention of those with high cognitive ability does not vary across levels of personality traits. Moderation effects of personality are more likely to explain differences in perceived accuracy and sharing intentions toward political misinformation for those with low cognitive ability.

Personality Traits and Vulnerability to Political Misinformation

Extraversion is positively associated with believing misinformation. This may be because extraversion is characterized by highly aroused emotions. 

Extraversion & Vulnerability to Misinformation

Neuroticism is positively associated with believing misinformation. This may be because neuroticism is characterized by highly aroused emotions.

Neuroticism & Vulnerability to Misinformation

High conscientiousness can reduce sharing online misinformation when linked to motivation behavior. Research suggests that the existence of low conscientiousness conservatives and their desire for chaos is a key personality facet in the spreading of misinformation.

Conscientiousness & Misinformation Sharing Intention

 Individuals high in neuroticism and low in facets on agreeableness and conscientiousness may be more likely to share misinformation with others when recalling a particular event.

Personality Profiles and Misinformation Sharing Intention

Research finds that openness to experience is positively associated with sharing misinformation, as individuals high in this domain want to explore the concept behind such misinformation.

Openness & Misinformation Sharing Intention

- Efficacy information
 - Positive and negative emotions
 - Novelty of information
 - Credibility of information

Information Characteristics That Influence Sharing Intention

Neuroticism negatively relates to sharing misinformation, as uncertainty towards the consequences of sharing doubtful information may increase apprehensive feelings. 

Neuroticism & Misinformation Sharing Intention

High extraversion can increase misinformation sharing intention if done for socializing purposes. Some research has found that only extraversion influences the engagement and sharing of misinformation, but this research requires further replication.

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