The Impact of Prebunking Interventions Against Misinformation on Discrimination Ability and Criterion: An IPD Network Meta-Analysis

Prebunking interventions against misinformation have been widely studied, yet few have effectively distinguished between discrimination ability and discrimination criterion using signal detection theory. This study is the first to systematically analyze the effects of prebunking interventions on discrimination ability and discrimination criterion using network meta-analysis based on individual participant data from 30 independent experiments (N = 30,530). Results indicate that prebunking interventions such as media literacy training, inoculation strategies, and writing letters to elders did not enhance discrimination ability but instead led to stricter discrimination criterion, making individuals more likely to judge information as false. Accuracy prompts, feedback, and bias awareness interventions had no significant impact on either discrimination ability or criterion. In contrast, financial incentives significantly improved discrimination ability without altering the discrimination criterion, thereby avoiding negative spillover effects. Further analysis revealed that after the intervention, males, older individuals, those with higher education, and those with greater analytical thinking showed improved discrimination ability but adopted a stricter criterion. Meanwhile, individuals in Asia applied more lenient criterion, whereas those in Europe and Oceania were more stringent. Extended analysis showed that improvements in discrimination ability became evident after three to four weeks but were accompanied by a stricter discrimination criterion. We emphasize the need for future research to employ data analysis approaches grounded in signal detection theory, consider targeted interventions informed by demographic factors, and conduct long-term follow-ups to evaluate the sustained effectiveness of prebunking interventions.