Articles tagged with Mass Media
Researchers at George Washington University found that Facebook's core design features undermine its policies aimed at removing Covid-19 vaccine misinformation. The platform's architecture, designed to build communities around shared interests, can inadvertently facilitate the spread of misinformation.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that YouTube's recommendation system did not promote anti-vaccine content during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed over 27,000 video recommendations and found that users were directed to longer, more popular health-related content.
A study published in Science Advances found that exposure to harmful content on YouTube is driven by a small group of users subscribing to these channels, not algorithmic recommendations. Most viewers of these channels are also subscribers to the channel in question or similar ones, indicating a pattern of seeking out content.
A new study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that people are more likely to recommend an RSV vaccine if they understand the rigorous process of the FDA's vaccine approval process. The study showed that 57% of those exposed to a flowchart were very or somewhat likely to recommend the vaccine, compared to 40% in a control group.
A recent study found that young men who regularly consume sports media are more likely to accept rape myths, even after accounting for negative masculine norms. The researchers suggest that the production of sports media around athletic events contributes to this connection, portraying men as hyper-masculine aggressors and women as tro...
Research reveals that nearly half of popular TikTok content featuring Baby Boomers depicts them in a negative light, reinforcing ageist stereotypes. The study highlights the potential for this to fuel intergenerational conflict, underscoring the need for more nuanced and respectful portrayals.
Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.
Researchers ran survey experiments to assess the effectiveness of microtargeting in politics, finding that targeted ads can be 70% more persuasive than general campaigns. However, using multiple attributes for targeting did not add further benefit, suggesting a 'one ad does not fit all' approach.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) collects reports of adverse events after vaccination, but public confusion about its nature and reports has increased. A new report recommends renaming the system to a clearer alternative and making additional changes to reduce misinterpretation.
People who consumed kind acts after a terrorist attack reported fewer negative emotions and more positive perceptions. Lighthearted news also showed an emotional buffering effect. The study suggests that positive news can mitigate the negative impact of bad news, promoting good mental health.
A recent study analyzing 34 Hollywood films found that stereotypical gender roles persist, with men depicted as aggressive and powerful, and women as loving and caring. However, the analysis also showed a significant increase in female representation over the past two decades.
A new Twitter analysis reveals that medical dramas like New Amsterdam, Chicago Med, and Grey's Anatomy influenced hundreds of people's thoughts on vaping dangers. The study found that nearly half the tweets commented on the realism of the storylines, with some even expressing intention to quit vaping.
New research highlights the need for extra support from professionals like teachers, youth workers, and speech therapists for children with disabilities when using the internet. The study found that these professionals often fail to provide adequate guidance on managing online risks, exacerbating existing digital inequalities.
A new CABI-led study found that mass media campaigns improve farmers' knowledge of pesticide risks and safety measures, boost the adoption of environmentally safer alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The campaigns also increase the use of personal protective equipment and reduce pesticide-related illnesses.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that offering tiny cash rewards for accuracy can increase people's ability to distinguish between misinformation and the truth. The study suggests that fake news thrives due to a motivational imbalance, where users have more incentive to get clicks than to spread accurate content.
A new study by MIT scholars reveals that sharing news on social media can lead to a decline in accuracy, as considering sharing impairs people's ability to discern truth. The study found that asking participants about sharing reduced their success rate at telling truths from falsehoods, with a 35% decrease in accuracy.
Researchers found that Americans are more receptive to counter-partisan messages than previously thought, and party loyalty does not significantly distort their processing of evidence. The study used a survey of over 5,000 partisans to test the effect of persuasive messaging on their attitudes.
Research from the University of Cambridge found that cinematic depictions of AI scientists are heavily skewed towards men, contributing to a cultural stereotype that may deter women from pursuing AI careers. The study highlights the need for more diverse representation in AI development.
Researchers analyzed 400 videos from top child-influencers on YouTube, finding branded food and beverages appeared 38% of the time. Candy brands were most frequent, while healthy options made up only 9% of appearances.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.
The study found that estimated national costs of self-injury mortality rose by 143% from $0.46 trillion to $1.12 trillion over a 20-year period, primarily driven by increases in opioid and alcohol-related deaths. West Virginia has the highest per capita cost at $6,534, with total suicide costs increasing 58% to $502.7 billion.
Researchers analyzed nearly 400,000 Twitter posts to find that five popular conspiracy theories overlapped in narratives highlighting malicious purposes and secretive actions. The most common conspiracies included those related to Bill Gates, 5G Networks, vaccinations, QAnon, and Agenda 21.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that web-based interventions are effective in promoting weight loss in people with overweight and obesity. The most effective components include social support, self-monitoring, behavioral goal setting, and personalized information.
A massive global survey found that accurate information about others' vaccination status can substantially increase intentions to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. The study shows people greatly underestimate vaccine uptake both worldwide and in their own communities.
A Temple-led study explores how recently firearm-injured individuals perceive news media coverage of their injuries and firearm violence. Participants reported feeling relieved when not
A new machine-learning framework analyzes scene descriptions in movie scripts to recognize character actions, revealing widespread gender stereotypes. Female characters tend to show more emotion and less agency than males, while males are less likely to display emotional vulnerability.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that faces paired with fake news headlines are perceived as trustworthy regardless of disputed labels. The research suggests that long-term perceptions of trustworthiness are more influenced by the content of the headline rather than the label itself.
A new study from Brigham Young University found that most people on social media self-censor their comments to avoid conflict, while those on the margins fuel online dialogue. The study suggests a shift towards polarized conversations and encourages users to focus on solutions rather than defending identities.
A new model examines the interplay between epidemic spreading and information diffusion to understand how reliable info can be better disseminated during epidemics. Effective prevention practices and mass media can increase the epidemic threshold, making it harder for infections to spread.
A pre-pandemic conspiratorial mindset was associated with hesitance to accept COVID-19 vaccines, a new study suggests. Individuals who held conspiracy theories prior to the pandemic were more likely to believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories and report hesitancy to be vaccinated.
A Simon Fraser University study found that Americans are more likely to share COVID-19 misinformation online compared to four other English-speaking countries. The polarized political landscape and populist attitudes in the US contributed to this phenomenon.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is investigating the role of online media in shaping facts and influencing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aims to better understand how individuals and communities develop their understanding of major events, ultimately acting on that understanding.
New research by Lancaster University and Bocconi University finds that Kenyan parents with access to mass media believe the risk of dying in a terrorist attack is 12 times larger than actual rates. This leads to children being kept out of schools, affecting their education and future earnings.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that people tend to have more memories associated with older songs and movie clips, which are often happier and more positive. The researchers discovered that these nostalgic experiences can lead to appreciation for lighthearted entertainment, such as pop music or superhero movies.
A new study by Professor Vike Plock found that Virginia Woolf's husband Leonard negotiated deals with Penguin Books to make her work widely available. The arrangement allowed Penguin to publish Woolf's essays and non-fiction at affordable prices, increasing her cultural capital and making her works accessible to a broader audience.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that people share information that is meaningful to themselves or their friends and family. The study analyzed the behavior of over 3,000 individuals and discovered that sharing activates reward centers in the brain and is driven by social relevance.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that short animations can help people recognize and resist misinformation. The experiment, conducted on YouTube with over 30,000 participants, suggests a potential solution for fighting disinformation.
A new study found dramatic differences in vaping prevalence across racial and sexual orientation groups. Black girls who identify as lesbian were more likely to vape than their heterosexual counterparts, while white girls who identify as lesbian were at lower risk. The findings suggest targeted e-cigarette marketing may contribute to t...
A study led by McGill University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that Ukrainians who engage in more analytic thinking are less likely to believe pro-Kremlin disinformation. Analytical thinking helps curtail belief in disinformation, according to the researchers.
A study analyzed 10 years of cable TV news and found that networks like Fox and MSNBC have shifted further to the right and left, respectively. The ideological gap between channels became extreme after the 2016 Presidential election, particularly in primetime programming.
The study found that TV ad content drives zapping through irritation, while creativity mitigates zapping by reducing it. Researchers recommend investing in creativity and refraining from too much information to discourage zapping behavior.
New research from UC Santa Cruz shows improvements in autistic adult representation in media and advocacy websites, with a notable increase in adult representations in film and television. However, the study also highlights persistent issues with childlike portrayals and limited attention to intersectionality.
The University of Huddersfield is leading a €1.5 million global research project to understand the impact of platform-driven change on public service media. The project will analyze data from 130 interviews, programs, and policy documents across six countries to deliver recommendations for securing public value.
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
A major study explores biases against women, minorities, and Indigenous knowledges in Australian history on Wikipedia. The research aims to improve representation and make the platform more equitable.
A UK survey found that much of the public value of academic research is overlooked in official 'impact' assessments. Researchers use social media to engage with their audience, often through ongoing feedback loops and collaborations, but these are not accounted for in the current system.
A recent study at North Carolina State University found that realism is a key factor in determining viewer engagement with virtual reality (VR) videos. The researchers discovered that viewers who enjoyed their VR experiences were more likely to want to watch additional VR videos in the future.
A new study by New York University's Center for Social Media and Politics found that labeling credible sources does not shift people away from low-quality information or reduce misperceptions. However, providing credibility indicators may improve the news diet quality of heavy misinformation consumers.
A new framework for classifying content and trigger warnings has been developed based on analysis of 32 countries and 10 different sectors. The framework categorizes warnings by theme (e.g. violence, language) and media type.
Research reveals a 23% increase in online incivility among Congresspeople from 2009-2019, with more inflammatory tweets receiving more likes and retweets. Politicians who received reinforcing feedback from likes and retweets subsequently engaged in more uncivil tweeting.
The partnership between pharma companies and patient influencers has raised concerns about the potential risks and benefits. While some see it as a way to improve disease awareness and treatment options, others worry about misinformation and advertising blurring the lines between opinion and ad content.
A Simon Fraser University study found that Google's autocomplete subtitles for 37 conspiracy theorists were never consistent with their behavior. The labels often normalized individuals who spread misinformation and harm to minority groups. Researchers call for Google to review these subtitles to better inform the public.
A new study by researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that exposure to alternative health media can affect beliefs about consequential health-care issues like vaccination. After Dr. Mehmet Oz endorsed the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine on a March 2019 episode of “The Dr. Oz Show,” significantly more people in hi...
A review of almost 200 studies spanning 15 years reveals large gaps in understanding how to use social media for crisis communication efforts. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to assess crisis communications on a global scale.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that US journalists' tweets from the 2016 campaign trail employed more emotive and informal language compared to traditional news articles. This reliance on intuition and past anchoring biases suggests a cognitive bias in word choices.
Researchers found that smartphone app usage patterns can be used to identify individuals with over 30% accuracy. The study analyzed data from 780 people and showed consistent patterns in application usage behaviors on a day-to-day basis. This highlights the potential risks to privacy when using apps automatically collected by smartphones.
A new study by the University of Edinburgh suggests that social media bots pose less of a threat to spreading harmful messages and misinformation. Bots were found to have very limited relation to users' stance on different topics, making up less than 10% of accounts affecting users' views.
A survey of over 1,100 people in the US found that lack of COVID-19 testing availability increases intentions for risky behavior, potentially leading to increased transmission. Participants with negative tests showed greater intention to engage in behaviors facilitating viral transmission.
A study by North Carolina State University found that image complexity drives consumer engagement on Instagram. The researchers identified six measures of image complexity and developed a model to determine which combination generates the most positive feedback.
New research shows radio dramas can shift behavioral intentions, beliefs, and attitudes toward violent extremism. Experimental studies found that participants who listened to fictional radio dramas increased prioritization of addressing violent extremism and reduced justification of violence.