Information Diffusion, Networks and Polarization (INFONET)

The project investigates how information spreads through social networks and how these processes shape individual beliefs, public disagreement, and polarization. Special attention is devoted to misinformation and fake news, examining the mechanisms through which misleading or fabricated information is produced, disseminated, and received.

The project combines theoretical modelling, empirical analysis, and field and laboratory experiments to investigate three interconnected dimensions: individual susceptibility to misinformation and the effectiveness of strategies designed to counter it; the incentives underlying the production and dissemination of deceptive information; and the drivers of disagreement and opinion polarization.

By integrating insights from behavioral and experimental economics with the study of social networks, INFONET aims to advance our understanding of information dynamics in digital societies and provide evidence to inform policies and interventions addressing misinformation.

The Verona unit focuses on the individual and behavioral determinants of the production and dissemination of false or misleading information. The research investigates the role of sociodemographic characteristics, personality traits, individual preferences, and reputational concerns, while examining how different communication channels influence the propensity to spread false information and the perceived credibility of information sources. By combining laboratory and field experiments with survey-based research, the unit aims to identify the mechanisms underlying misinformation and provide evidence to inform the design of prevention and mitigation strategies.

PERSONNEL INVOLVED: Alessandro Bucciol, Simone Quercia

JEL CODES: D83, D91, C91