misinformed

Misinformed is an adjective describing a person or group who holds beliefs or acts on information that is incorrect, incomplete, or misleading. The term emphasizes the recipient’s state of knowledge rather than the intention behind the information. A person can be misinformed even when the material they encountered was not false, if it was misinterpreted, taken out of context, or combined with other inaccurate data.

Common causes include faulty or biased sources, misinterpretation of data, language barriers, and cognitive biases such as confirmation bias. In some cases, deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods or propaganda can lead to people becoming misinformed. The word does not inherently imply intent; it describes the outcome of beliefs formed from faulty information.

Usage is widespread in journalism, education, and discussions about public discourse. For example, politicians, journalists, and researchers may refer to a population as misinformed when explaining why beliefs diverge from established evidence. The term also appears in discussions of media literacy and information hygiene.

Addressing misinformed beliefs typically involves source verification, fact-checking, providing accurate information, and fostering critical thinking. Corrective information can reduce the spread and persistence of misinformed views, though changing beliefs can be challenging due to cognitive biases and social dynamics.