Misinformation is both a symptom and a cause: Reply to Altay and Mercier (2026).

American Psychologist 2026 Open access

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Authors: Li Qian Tay, Sander van der Linden, Jon Roozenbeek, John Cook, Naomi Oreskes, Stephan Lewandowsky, Ullrich K. H. Ecker
DOI: 10.1037/amp0001622
Cited by: 1

Abstract

In their commentary, Altay and Mercier (2026) frame misinformation as a mere symptom of deeper underlying societal problems. Here, we highlight a more nuanced causal account involving reciprocal effects, where misinformation can act as a cause of societal issues, which in turn can simultaneously act as a cause of misinformation belief. When it comes to the total causal impact of misinformation, we note the importance of taking into account not only the direct but also the indirect effects. Viewing misinformation as both a symptom and a cause offers an opportunity for appropriate policy interventions depending on the behavior, context, and misinformation in question. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Fields of Study & Subjects

Misinformation and Its Impacts Deception detection and forensic psychology Media Influence and Politics

Publication details

Journal / source
American Psychologist
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Volume
81
Issue
2
Pages
290–292
Publication date
1 February 2026
Language
EN