Open AccessDiscrediting in a Message Board Forum: The Effects of Social Support and Attacks on Expertise and Trustworthiness
Author(s) -
Hughes Michael G.,
Griffith Jennifer A.,
Zeni Thomas A.,
Arsenault Matthew L.,
Cooper Olivia D.,
Johnson Genevieve,
Hardy Jay H.,
Connelly Shane,
Mumford Michael D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of computer‐mediated communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.15
H-Index - 119
ISSN - 1083-6101
DOI - 10.1111/jcc4.12077
Subject(s) - misinformation , credibility , popularity , trustworthiness , internet privacy , social media , anonymity , subject (documents) , psychology , action (physics) , perception , empirical research , deception , social psychology , computer science , computer security , political science , world wide web , law , philosophy , physics , epistemology , quantum mechanics , neuroscience
Given the prevalence of online media today, credibility continues to be a popular subject of empirical research. However, studies examining the effects of discrediting strategies are rare. This issue is significant given the popularity of online media and the ease of such sources to spread misinformation. Therefore, the present study examines the effects of attacking the expertise and trustworthiness of a proponent of a major social issue. Results showed that support as well specific combinations of discrediting attack strategies significantly reduced message board readers' perceptions of the proponent's credibility. In addition, attacks on either the proponent's expertise or trustworthiness resulted in a reduced likelihood of readers taking action with respect to the issue .