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From alternative conceptions of honesty to alternative facts in communications by US politicians

Political Science

From alternative conceptions of honesty to alternative facts in communications by US politicians

J. Lasser, S. T. Aroyehun, et al.

This research conducted by Jana Lasser, Segun T. Aroyehun, Fabio Carrella, Almog Simchon, David Garcia, and Stephan Lewandowsky explores the evolving definition of honesty among U.S. politicians. The study reveals a notable shift towards belief-driven communication in tweets, particularly after 2016, highlighting a concerning trend in the correlation of subjective belief and misinformation. Discover more about this vital issue!

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This paper investigates the shift in US politicians' conception of honesty, moving from evidence-based "fact speaking" to belief-driven "belief speaking." Analyzing tweets from US Congress members (2011-2022), the study reveals a bipartisan increase in both fact-speaking and belief-speaking language, particularly after 2016. However, Republicans' increased belief speaking correlates with lower-quality sources shared, unlike Democrats. This suggests a link between an alternative understanding of truth prioritizing subjective belief over evidence and the spread of misinformation.
Publisher
Nature Human Behaviour
Published On
Sep 25, 2023
Authors
Jana Lasser, Segun T. Aroyehun, Fabio Carrella, Almog Simchon, David Garcia, Stephan Lewandowsky
Tags
honesty
politicians
belief speaking
fact speaking
misinformation
social media
bipartisan

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