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Politricks: Teaching political tricks and discernment through active and passive tools

Shaye-Ann M Hopkins^1,2, Rebecca M Rayburn-Reeves^1,3, Jan W Lindemans^1,4

¹Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, 2024 W Morgan St. Bay A Suite 200, Durham, NC 27705, USA.

|August 21, 2025

Summary

Active and passive learning tools effectively build resistance to misinformation. Gamified interventions showed particular promise for individuals with lower initial discernment, enhancing their ability to detect manipulation in elections and climate change topics.

Area of Science:

Psychology
Communication Studies
Political Science

Background:

Misinformation poses a significant threat to democratic processes and public understanding of critical issues.
Inoculation theory proposes that preemptive exposure to manipulation tactics can foster resilience against misinformation.
Limited research compares active (gamified) versus passive (informational) learning for misinformation detection.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the effectiveness of an interactive game (Politricks) and a passive learning guide against a control (Tetris) in enhancing misinformation discernment.
To assess the impact of these tools on election-related and climate change misinformation.
To investigate differential effects based on users' initial discernment levels and political leanings.

Main Methods:

Two online survey experiments (N=1,035) were conducted.
Participants were exposed to either the Politricks game, a passive learning guide, or Tetris.
Misinformation discernment and engagement with manipulative content were measured regarding election and climate change topics.

Main Results:

Both the interactive game and passive guide significantly improved users' ability to discern misinformation and reduced engagement with manipulative content.
The tools demonstrated greater effectiveness for election misinformation compared to climate change misinformation.
The Politricks game showed enhanced discernment among individuals with lower initial detection skills, particularly conservatives and those questioning 2020 election integrity.

Conclusions:

Both active and passive learning interventions are effective in enhancing discernment and building resilience against misinformation.
Gamified tools may offer particular benefits for individuals less adept at identifying manipulation.
Interventions show promise across different domains of misinformation, though domain-specific effects may vary.

Keywords:

election gamification inoculation manipulation misinformation

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