Using psychological science to understand and fight health misinformation: An APA consensus statement
Sander van der Linden1, Dolores Albarracín2, Lisa Fazio3
1Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge.
The American Psychologist
|October 20, 2025
Summary
Misinformation poses significant risks to health and society. This review synthesizes psychological research to understand susceptibility, impact, spread, and effective interventions for health misinformation.
Area of Science:
- Psychological Science
- Health Communication
- Social Science
Background:
- Misinformation presents serious risks to individual well-being, public health, and societal functioning.
- Existing research has not fully addressed the psychological underpinnings of misinformation susceptibility, its behavioral impact, or effective countermeasures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize psychological science research on misinformation.
- To establish consensus on factors influencing susceptibility, real-world behavioral effects, and spread of misinformation.
- To identify effective intervention strategies, particularly for health-related misinformation.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of existing psychological science literature.
- Synthesis of research findings to identify areas of consensus.
- Focus on studies examining health-related misinformation.
Main Results:
- Identified key psychological factors contributing to misinformation susceptibility.
- Assessed the extent to which misinformation influences real-world behaviors.
- Examined the mechanisms of misinformation spread across online and offline contexts.
- Evaluated the efficacy of various intervention strategies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding psychological vulnerabilities is crucial for combating misinformation.
- Effective interventions require a multi-faceted approach targeting individual and societal levels.
- Recommendations are provided for scientists, policymakers, and health professionals to address misinformation in healthcare and beyond.
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