Misinformation is a symptom: Commentary on Ecker et al. 2024

We agree with the authors that misinformation should not be ignored. The specific form thatmisbeliefs take is indeed shaped by misinformation (e.g., vaccines cause autism). However, this doesnot imply that misinformation causes behaviors (e.g., vaccine refusal). We view misinformation asa symptom of deeper problems. When many are willing to consume, believe, and act onmisinformation, this is diagnostic of broader socio-political issues—such as polarization orwidespread mistrust—that make misinformation appealing, rather than misinformation causingthese issues. In particular, we consider that attitudinal and structural roots explain both theconsumption and acceptance of misinformation on the one hand, and the behaviors ascribed tomisinformation on the other.