Sigit Purnomo

Sigit Purnomo

Senior Lecturer at Informatics Department, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

Understanding Social-Cognitive-Norm Mechanisms Driving Disinformation Verification among Indonesian Young Adults on Social Media

2 minute read

This article was published in Scopus Q1 journal: Computers in Human Behavior from Elsevier.

Authors: Yonathan Dri Handarkho, Theresia Devi Indriasari, Yohanes Sigit Purnomo W.P., Citra Yayu’ Palangan

Language: English

Abstract:
This research aimed to develop an integrated theoretical model to explain the factors influencing verification behavior regarding social media disinformation among young adults in Indonesia. The model combined the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) framework with the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and the Social Identity Theory (SIT) to examine the collective effects of social, cognitive, and moral processes in shaping responsible information behavior. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with 746 respondents, who actively used social networking sites to obtain and share information. The results showed that verification behavior was primarily driven by information skepticism and personal norms, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and moral obligation for responsible engagement. In the Organism stage, awareness of fake information, perceived deception, and critical consumption enhanced moral sensitivity and analytical reasoning. At the social level, factors such as collective memory, parasocial interaction, and status-seeking were reported to be significant identity-based stimuli in shaping cognitive and moral responses, with gender found to moderate these effects. Thematic analysis suggested that most young adults verified information through cross-checking and peer consultation, but were influenced by social validation. Theoretically, this research contributed to disinformation research by framing verification as a cognitive-normative process rather than a reactive behavior. Different initiatives were recommended by educational institutions, governmental bodies, and community organizations to strengthen moral reasoning, digital literacy, and civic responsibility in combating disinformation.

Keywords: Disinformation, Verification behavior, Information skepticism, Personal norms, SOR–NAM–SIT model, Indonesia, Young adults

DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2026.109115

Article URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563226002128

How to Cite

If you extend or use this work, please cite the paper where it was introduced:

@article{HANDARKHO2026109115,
	title = {Understanding Social-Cognitive-Norm Mechanisms Driving Disinformation Verification among Indonesian Young Adults on Social Media},
	journal = {Computers in Human Behavior},
	pages = {109115},
	year = {2026},
	issn = {0747-5632},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.109115},
	url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563226002128},
	author = {Handarkho, Yonathan Dri and Indriasari, Theresia Devi and Purnomo W.P., Yohanes Sigit and Palangan, Citra Yayu'},
	keywords = {Disinformation, Verification behavior, Information skepticism, Personal norms, SOR–NAM–SIT model, Indonesia, Young adults},
	abstract = {This research aimed to develop an integrated theoretical model to explain the factors influencing verification behavior regarding social media disinformation among young adults in Indonesia. The model combined the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) framework with the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and the Social Identity Theory (SIT) to examine the collective effects of social, cognitive, and moral processes in shaping responsible information behavior. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with 746 respondents, who actively used social networking sites to obtain and share information. The results showed that verification behavior was primarily driven by information skepticism and personal norms, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and moral obligation for responsible engagement. In the Organism stage, awareness of fake information, perceived deception, and critical consumption enhanced moral sensitivity and analytical reasoning. At the social level, factors such as collective memory, parasocial interaction, and status-seeking were reported to be significant identity-based stimuli in shaping cognitive and moral responses, with gender found to moderate these effects. Thematic analysis suggested that most young adults verified information through cross-checking and peer consultation, but were influenced by social validation. Theoretically, this research contributed to disinformation research by framing verification as a cognitive-normative process rather than a reactive behavior. Different initiatives were recommended by educational institutions, governmental bodies, and community organizations to strengthen moral reasoning, digital literacy, and civic responsibility in combating disinformation.}
}

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