"Sticking to Falsehoods: The Psychology Behind Misinformation Loyalty"

Research in the Journal of Social Psychology reveals that many individuals embrace COVID-19 misinformation, valuing loyalty to falsehoods over factual correctness, impacting public health and political discourse.

• A survey of 5,535 people across eight countries during the pandemic highlighted a concerning trend in political psychology, where individuals adhere to easily disproven COVID-19 misinformation.
• The study demonstrates that people often perceive a sense of independence and personal victory in rejecting truth, showcasing the psychological mechanisms behind enduring misinformation and psychological warfare.
• Participants in the research exhibited a preference for false claims, such as those involving 5G and vaccines, illustrating deep-seated biases that challenge efforts to combat COVID-19 misinformation.