Cognitively verify, then trust: Association of the cognitive process for news verification with media trust in responding to perceived false information

False information can hinder individuals’ cognitive processes for news verification, potentially confusing members of the public and sowing distrust in information sources. The maxim “trust, but verify” has long been commonly used in information processing, but the updated maxim “verify, then trust” proposes a principle by which people first evaluate the truthfulness of the information they come across by examining its source and seeking validation from authoritative experts. Based on a survey of U.S. adults, the author examines the role of the need for cognition (NFC) on perceived exposure to false information (PEFI) and news verification behaviors, in combination with the strategy, “verify, then trust.” The results of a serial mediation analysis suggest that, while PEFI is linked to decreased trust in media, NFC can have the opposite association when mediated by PEFI and news verification, offering broader insight into the significance of cognitive thinking in news consumption behaviors. By integrating multiple theoretical frameworks, this study highlights the joint endeavors of audiences and journalists.