Development of an Instrument to Measure Perceptions of Responsibility for Deepfakes

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Deepfakes present a significant challenge by blurring the lines between reality and falsehood.
• The perceived responsibility for deepfakes influences societal responses, including regulation and technological countermeasures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a survey instrument measuring individual perceptions of responsibility for deepfakes.
• To provide a tool for theory development and testing regarding the societal impact of deepfakes.

Main Methods:

• Conducted an initial study (N=535) and a replication study (N=488) to create and validate the survey instrument.
• Performed a final validation study on a general U.S. population sample (N=340).

Main Results:

• The developed 39-item survey demonstrated reliability and discriminant validity.
• Established a validated instrument for assessing perceptions of responsibility for deepfakes.

Conclusions:

• Understanding individual responsibility perceptions is crucial for developing effective strategies against deepfake misinformation.
• The validated survey serves as a foundation for creating tools, policies, and procedures to mitigate the impact of deepfakes.