Tragedy, Truth, and Technology: The 3T Theory of Social Media-Driven Misinformation

Abstract

False claims and misinformation on social media have substantially increased in the last few years. Some people have incorrectly interpreted such content as the truth, sometimes to the extent that it transforms their view of reality and subsequently leads to actions that cause harm and suffering. Despite the burgeoning body of research on misinformation on social media, we know little about the process by which social media-driven misinformation shapes and reinforces false beliefs that result in detrimental outcomes. Building on insights from dramaturgical tragedy, theories of truth, and research on social media, we develop a process theory that explains how social media-driven misinformation transforms a person’s view of reality in a way that leads to detrimental human action.