Online information sharing: how secondhand information and credibility level influence the perceived validity of information

Two experiments examined online information sharing. Specifically, we explored a situation in which a proximate secondhand source repeated information of an obscure factual nature that was derived from an originating source with a discrepant or similar credibility level. Secondhand information did not always increase or decrease the perceived validity of information. Rather, the perceived validity of secondhand information depended on the relationship between the credibility level of the secondhand source and its originating source. We used a weighted averaging model as an overarching account of our results. We also discuss differences between information sharing and research findings in the attitude, rumor, and truth effect literatures as well as future research directions and implications for social media and online information sharing.