Author Meets Critics: Adam Berinsky's "Political Rumors"

Session Submission Type: Author meet critics

Session Description

Political misinformation is far from new but technological and social developments have heightened concern about its consequences for democracy. Indeed, few topics have received as much recent attention as political, health, and scientific misinformation. In his new book Political Rumors, Adam Berinsky provides an overarching treatment of where misinformation comes from, how it spreads, and what can be done about it, Based on more than a decade of research with surveys, experiments, and anecdotes, Berinsky highlights the role of conspiratorial thinking and partisanship in driving political rumors. He also provides strategic advice on whom to target when it comes to combatting political rumors (e.g., undecided or undecided individuals) and how to do so (e.g., increasing a focus on the sources as much as the message and providing credible debunking). This panel brings together experts on misinformation to discuss this foundational book and identify next steps.

Sub Unit

• Division 37: Public Opinion

Chair

• James N. Druckman University of Rochester

Presenters

• Andy Guess Princeton University

• Matthew H Graham Temple University

• Jennifer Jerit Dartmouth College

• Natalie Jomini Stroud University of Texas, Austin

• Adam J. Berinsky