Rumor Has It: Examining the Effects of Facebook Addiction on Political Knowledge Gullibility

Authors

  • Cynthia Nichols Oklahoma State University
  • Lori Melton McKinnon Oklahoma State University
  • Anna Geary

Keywords:

social media, facebook, politics, gullabuility, facebook addiction scale

Abstract

Political rumors, half-truths and unfortunate candid comments from candidates spread like wildfire across the social media spectrum, meaning social channels require constant care and maintenance. The purpose of this study is to examine how Facebook addiction can affect levels of gullibility to online political rumors. Prior to the 2012 elections, more than 500 respondents participated in a survey designed to measure gullibility to online political rumors. Respondents reported levels of addiction to Facebook and were asked to determine the validity of 20 statements regarding President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney. The statements varied in their level of accuracy, some obviously rumor, others seemingly true, but all originated from Internet sources and were disseminated by various Facebook users. In separate survey sections, political knowledge and the political activity of the users Facebook “friends” were measured. Results indicated that both Facebook addiction and gullibility decreased with age and the two variables have a strong correlation between them. 

 

Author Biographies

Cynthia Nichols, Oklahoma State University

Dr. Cynthia Nichols is an assistant professor in the School of Media and Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University. Prior to pursuing a Ph.D. (Mass Communication, The University of Alabama, 2010), Dr. Nichols received her BBA in marketing from Oklahoma Baptist University (2002), and her MA in advertising & public relations from The University of Alabama (2005). She has worked in the marketing department of Kelly Services in Detroit, MI, at Jetta Corporation in Oklahoma City, as well as a marketing and PR consultant for a variety of companies. At Jetta, she was charged with running the marketing department, and took on the task of rebranding and repositioning the company.  This professional experience has given her added perspective in her classes (Advanced PR Media, Advanced Sports PR, Crisis Communication, Graphic Design, Research Methods), where she integrates both theoretical and practical application into her lectures. Nichols' teaching interests include advertising, public relations/marketing, entertainment/sports, and media effects.

 

       Nichols' research interests lie in media effects, social media, entertainment, and children‹specifically examining the impact of television and media on children. She has presented roughly 30 conference papers, written several publications, and her dissertation explored the relationship between the pace of E/I programming and learning in children.

Anna Geary

Anna Geary, an OSU Honors graduate, works in communication for Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA.

Downloads

Published

2016-05-31

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2016): The Journal of Social Media in Society

Section

Articles