User:Oasis541/Inoculation theory

About

The inoculation process is analogous to the medical inoculation process from which it draws its name; the analogy served as the inaugural exemplar for how inoculation confers resistance. As McGuire (1961) initially explained, medical inoculation works by exposing the body to a weakened form of a virus—strong enough to trigger a response (that is, the production of antibodies), but not so strong as to overwhelm the body's resistance. Attitudinal inoculation works the same way: expose the receiver to weakened counterarguments, triggering a process of counterargument which confers resistance to later, stronger persuasive messages. This process works like a metaphorical vaccination: the receiver becomes immune to attacking messages that attempt to change their attitudes or beliefs. Inoculation theory suggests that if one sends out messages with weak counterarguments, an individual can build immunity to stronger messages and strengthen their original attitudes toward an issue.

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History

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Real-world applications

Pre-bunking

Pre-bunking (or prebunking) is a form of inoculation theory that aims to combat various kinds of manipulation and misinformation spread around the web. In recent years, misleading information and the permeation of such have become an increasingly prevalent issue. Standard inoculation theory simply aims to combat persuasion, but pre-bunking seeks to target misinformation by providing a harmless example of it. This example is then dissected and explained to the viewer, hoping that this exposure will help build future resistance to similar misinformation tactics

In 2021, a study was done to figure out if inoculation could help diminish the common, harsh preconceived notions about mental health. Such notions included association of mental health with violence. The study was split into two distinct experiments. In the first, subjects were shown misinformation regarding gun-violence, only to have the misinformation explained away. These inoculative techniques were concluded to be effective. In the second experiment of the study, a modified version of the first, subjects were shown false messages with both high and low credibility. These too were seen as effective.

A common form of pre-bunking is in the form of short videos, meant to grab a viewer's attention with a fake message, and then inoculate the viewer by explaining the manipulation. In 2022, five pre-bunking videos were produced to test the viability of short-form inoculation messages, which were then shown to viewers. The subjects were then shown various fabricated posts from various social media outlets. The subjects were tasked with differentiating between benign posts and ones containing manipulation. The videos were evidently effective in improving the viewers' ability to identify manipulative tactics. In autumn of 2022, Google released pre-bunking videos in various European countries, concerning prevalent Russian propaganda concerning Ukranians.

Anti-Vaccination Beliefs

Inoculation Theory has been used to combat misinformation regarding anti-vaccine related beliefs. Vaccinations have helped stopped the spread of many infections and diseases, but their effectiveness has become a controversial topic in the Western nations. Studies show that misinformation regarding the science has played a major role in the hesitancy for vaccinations. Some of the common misconceptions include the Influenza vaccine giving the Flu, and a link between the MMR vaccine and Autism. Regardless of the many scientific studies debunking these claims, there are people that still cling to these beliefs.

In 2014, a study was conducted to see if Inoculation theory can combat vaccine misinformation. The participants of this study were a group of young women who had not completed any doses of the human Papillomavirus vaccine(HPV). The study wanted to see the effect of attack messages that questioned the importance and safety of this specific vaccine, and other vaccines. After making arguments against the vaccines and a brief lapse in time, a control group was exposed to inoculation messages, that were in favor of the vaccine. Once the arguments were made, the participants were asked to take part in post-test measurements. The results found that those who received the inoculated messages had more positive behaviors towards the HPV vaccine, and other vaccines.

In 2017, a study was conducted to test the role of Inoculation theory, and its role in making vaccine related decisions. A group of British Parents were selected, and exposed to one of five potential arguments for a fictitious vaccine. Some groups were exposed to arguments that were completely based in conspiracy, Anti-conspiracy, While the other groups were exposed to both arguments in differing order. After being exposed to these arguments they were told about a disease that would cause vomiting, and a severe fever. The parents were asked if they would get their children the vaccine for this fictitious disease, and the results they gathered displayed Inoculation theory in action. The results showed that those who were exposed to anti-conspiracy arguments were more likely to get the vaccine.

References

McGuire, W. J. (1964). Inducing resistance to persuasion. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 1, pp. 191–229). New York: Academic Press.)

Dewey, R. (2017). Inoculation and forewarning. Chapter 15. Psychology: An introduction. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing