Can Encountering More Misinformation Lead to More Resistance to Misinformation?

Misinformation is a current issue, particularly when considered in the context of the COVID pandemic,
where consistent misinformation circulating caused detrimental effects.
The misinformation effect outlines how, after witnessing an event and receiving contradictory
information after, an individual's memory may begin to incorporate some of the misinformation into their
original memory of the event. Further research has shown that memories are more likely to change if the
individual does not notice the discrepancy immediately. However, when the discrepancy is noticed, this
can facilitate memory for the original event.
This research is aimed at exploring the possibility that encountering larger pieces of misinformation
makes people more sceptical and resistant to misinformation, reducing the misinformation effect.
This project will conduct a meta-analysis, as well as three experimental studies designed to complement
the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis itself will focus on the effect that varying amounts of
misinformation have on discrepancy detection. Further to this, multiple smaller meta-analyses are
planned to explore certain subsets of studies, such as type of test (forced choice vs. free recall for
instance).
The first experimental study will directly look at the effect differing amounts of misinformation have on
both amount of discrepancies detected and memory performance. The second experimental study will
explore how different types of misinformation (e.g., complimentary vs. supplementary), in combination
with varying amounts of misinformation, can moderate the misinformation effect. Finally, the third
experimental study will follow-up on any further questions that may arise during the course of the MA
and first two experimental studies.