Misinformation is being spread throughout social media to sway public opinion or allow hackers to finance state needs or illicit operations. FIT’s Georgios Anagnostopoulos is using social science theories to build models that help us understand how, why, and where misinformation spreads.

Findings show that the echo chamber, a metaphorical environment where people only pay attention to information supporting their own beliefs and opinions, plays a major role in spreading misinformation. “While there are actual benefits to our innate trusting behavior, such as reinforcing our social bonds, these instincts can be easily turned against us,” Anagnostopoulos says.