Propaganda and Disinformation
Hertwig, R., Oswald, L. (2025): Wer’s glaubt. Zu den psychologischen Faktoren von Falsch- und Desinformation. Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte, 39. Wer’s glaubt | Propaganda und Desinformation | bpb.de
The article Wer’s glaubt. Zu den psychologischen Faktoren von Falsch- und Desinformation by Ralph Hertwig and Lisa Oswald explores the extent to which emotions, cognitive processes, and political convictions shape the perception of false and misleading information, as well as the role played by digital platforms in these dynamics. Content that elicits strong affective responses such as outrage or fear is disproportionately likely to be shared and commented upon, thereby amplifying its reach. Platform operators exacerbate this dynamic insofar as their algorithms privilege content associated with high levels of user engagement—irrespective of substantive quality—thus fostering the deliberate dissemination of misinformation and disinformation.
Empirical findings indicate that individuals with lower levels of analytical reasoning or a stronger disposition toward intuitive judgment are particularly susceptible to false and misleading information. Moreover, both political identity and familiarity with specific content exert a significant influence on perceptions of credibility. Against this backdrop, the authors underscore the necessity of sustained research efforts aimed at elucidating the mechanisms underlying misinformation and disinformation and at developing effective counterstrategies.
In addition to emphasizing the need for further research, the authors call for concrete political interventions to address disinformation. German and European policymakers should create conditions that promote data sharing and support the development of public knowledge. Platform operators must cooperate to ensure transparency and data access.
The article is only available in German.
Link to the article: Wer’s glaubt | Propaganda und Desinformation | bpb.de
Link to the full issue on propaganda and disinformation: Propaganda und Desinformation | bpb.de