When Does Source Information Help? Content Vs. Source-Based Validation as a Function of Readers' Prior Knowledge

EasyChair Preprint 4493

Abstract

We tested whether readers' attention to source information depends on their prior knowledge. 102 undergraduates read true, false, or uncertain statements attributed to either competent or less competent sources. Participants rated the statements as true or false. Statements attributed to competent sources were more likely to be rated as true, but the effect was much larger when the statement was uncertain than when it was either true or false. Implications for validation processes are discussed.

Keyphrases: Validation, comprehension, knowledge, source

@booklet{EasyChair:4493,
  author    = {Jean-François Rouet and Christine Ros and Benjamin Bordas and Mylène Sanchiz and Gaston Saux and Tobias Richter and M. Anne Britt},
  title     = {When Does Source Information Help? Content Vs. Source-Based Validation as a Function of Readers' Prior Knowledge},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 4493},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2020}}