University of Twente Student Theses
Source Matters: The Impact of Visual Cues on Perceived Source Credibility and Belief in Disinformation on Short Video Platforms
Schultz, Frederik (2024) Source Matters: The Impact of Visual Cues on Perceived Source Credibility and Belief in Disinformation on Short Video Platforms.
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| Abstract: | In the digital age, young adults increasingly rely on social media for news consumption, shifting away from traditional sources like newspapers and TV. This trend poses challenges due to social media's rapid information dissemination and lack of editorial oversight, which facilitate the spread of disinformation. This study examines the impact of visual cues—specifically, the blue verification tick and profile visuals mimicking legitimate news organisations—on perceived source credibility and belief in disinformation on short video platforms. Using a 2x2 experimental design, participants viewed a simulated short video feed including disinformation videos with varying visual cues. Findings indicate that mimicked profile visuals significantly enhanced perceived source credibility, while the blue verification tick and their interaction did not influence perceptions. Perceived source credibility, in turn, positively affected belief in misinformation, serving as a mediator between visual cues and belief. However, mimicked profile visuals exhibited a negative direct effect on belief in disinformation. The study suggests that the perceived source credibility once associated with blue verification ticks diminished, possibly since some social media platforms recently made it purchasable. It also underscores the concerning influence of mimicked profile visuals on belief in disinformation mediated through perceived source credibility. Nonetheless, the direct negative impact of mimicked profile visuals on belief in disinformation may reflect increased media literacy among Western European young adults. These findings underscore the urgent need for strategies to counteract disinformation on short video platforms, ensuring young adults' access to trustworthy information and preserving democratic integrity. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Studies BSc (56615) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100477 |
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