Gamified Inoculation Against Misinformation in India: A Randomized Control Trial

Although the spread of misinformation is a pervasive and disruptive global problem, extant research skewed towards “WEIRD” countries leaving questions about how to tackle in developing world with different media consumption patterns unanswered. We report results game-based intervention against India. The game based on mechanism psychological inoculation; borrowed from medical context, inoculation interventions aim pre-emptively neutralize falsehoods help audiences spot resist strategies. Though efficacy these games has been repeatedly demonstrated samples Western countries, present study conducted north India (n = 757) did not replicate earlier findings. found no significant impact perceived reliability messages containing misinformation, confidence judgments, willingness share information others. Our experience presents teachable moment for unique challenges associated complex cultural adaptations field work rural areas. These have ramifications designing where largely via encrypted messaging applications such as WhatsApp. findings contribute small but growing body looking at adapt cross-cultural settings.