Believing misinformation is a “win” for some people, even when proven false

The strongest predictor of whether someone believed in COVID-19-related misinformation and risks related to the vaccine was whether they viewed COVID-19 prevention efforts in terms of symbolic strength and weakness. In other words, this group focused on whether an action would make them appear to fend off or “give in” to untoward influence.

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Our findings highlight the limits of countering misinformation directly, because for some people, literal truth is not the point.