Adopt a Cultural-Historical Perspective to Adapt Misinformation Interventions: Reflecting on Harjani et al.

Harjani et al. (2023) conducted a gamified inoculation intervention against misinformation in rural India. Despite the ingenuity of the intervention design, the study revealed no significant effects on participants' ability to detect misinformation, highlighting cultural and digital barriers to effective intervention. We argue from a cultural-historical perspective that conceptual development stages, influenced by formal education, play a crucial role in the success of interventions. From a practical perspective, we propose a possible guideline following the adaptation recommendations proposed by the theory of Intervention Mapping. Our reflection provides a deeper understanding of why traditional inoculation methods may prove ineffective in more rural and less literate regions and suggests pathways for developing more culturally attuned and effective interventions.