During the coronavirus disease pandemic rising in 2020, governments and nongovernmental organizations across the globe have taken great efforts to curb the infection rate by promoting or legally prescribing behavior that can reduce the spread of the virus. At the same time, this pandemic has given rise to speculations and conspiracy theories. Conspiracy worldviews have been connected to refusal to trust science, the biomedical model of disease, and legal means of political engagement in previous research. In three studies from the United States (N = 220; N = 288) and the UK (N = 298), we went beyond this focus …
Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
12(4), P. 1270 - 1285
Published: Aug. 30, 2020
Background
Conspiracy
theories
about
the
origins
of
COVID‐19
are
widespread
and
have
even
been
propagated
by
highly
ranked
state
officials
politicians
in
US.
Health
authorities
cautioned
that
such
theories,
although
not
questioning
existence
pandemic,
may
increase
spread
virus
reducing
people's
efforts
to
socially
distance.
Methods
We
test
this
proposition
empirically
using
longitudinal
survey
data
collected
at
five
timepoints
during
early
outbreak
US
(
N
=
403).
Results
Multivariate
growth
curve
analyses
showed
that,
conspiracy
beliefs
decreased
social
distancing
increased
over
time,
people
holding
more
beginning
pandemic
lowest
distancing.
Moreover,
cross‐lagged
demonstrated
who
reported
any
wave
tended
report
less
following
wave.
Conclusions
Our
findings
show
pose
a
significant
threat
public
health
as
they
reduce
adherence
measures.
Big Data & Society,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
8(1)
Published: Jan. 1, 2021
Misinformation
about
the
novel
coronavirus
(COVID-19)
is
a
pressing
societal
challenge.
Across
two
studies,
one
preregistered
(
n
1
=
1771
and
2
1777),
we
assess
efficacy
of
‘prebunking’
interventions
aimed
at
improving
people’s
ability
to
spot
manipulation
techniques
commonly
used
in
COVID-19
misinformation
across
three
different
languages
(English,
French
German).
We
find
that
Go
Viral!,
five-minute
browser
game,
(a)
increases
perceived
manipulativeness
COVID-19,
(b)
improves
attitudinal
certainty
(confidence)
their
(c)
reduces
self-reported
willingness
share
with
others.
The
first
effects
remain
significant
for
least
week
after
gameplay.
also
reading
real-world
infographics
from
UNESCO
confidence
spotting
(albeit
descriptively
smaller
effect
sizes
than
game).
Limitations
implications
fake
news
are
discussed.
Applied Cognitive Psychology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
35(3), P. 720 - 729
Published: Feb. 3, 2021
Societal
crises
and
stressful
events
are
associated
with
an
upsurge
of
conspiracy
beliefs
that
may
help
people
to
tackle
feelings
lack
control.
In
our
study
(
As
the
COVID-19
pandemic
progresses,
an
understanding
of
structure
and
organization
beliefs
in
conspiracy
theories
misinformation
becomes
increasingly
critical
for
addressing
threat
posed
by
these
dubious
ideas.
In
polling
Americans
about
11
such
ideas,
we
observed
clear
groupings
that
correspond
with
different
individual-level
characteristics
(e.g.,
support
Trump,
distrust
scientists)
behavioral
intentions
to
take
a
vaccine,
engage
social
activities).
Moreover,
found
enjoy
more
support,
on
average,
than
dangerous
health
practices.
Our
findings
suggest
several
paths
policymakers,
communicators,
scientists
minimize
spread
impact
theories.
Applied Cognitive Psychology,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
35(2), P. 486 - 496
Published: Nov. 29, 2020
In
the
coronavirus
"infodemic,"
people
are
exposed
to
official
recommendations
but
also
potentially
dangerous
pseudoscientific
advice
claimed
protect
against
COVID-19.
We
examined
whether
irrational
beliefs
predict
adherence
COVID-19
guidelines
as
well
susceptibility
such
misinformation.
Irrational
were
indexed
by
belief
in
conspiracy
theories,
knowledge
overestimation,
type
I
error
cognitive
biases,
and
intuition.
Participants
(
PLoS ONE,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
16(5), P. e0251095 - e0251095
Published: May 12, 2021
Hesitancy
towards
the
COVID-19
vaccine
remains
high
among
US
population.
Now
that
is
available
to
priority
populations,
it
critical
convince
those
are
hesitant
take
vaccine.
Public
health
communication
about
as
well
misinformation
on
occurs
through
a
variety
of
different
information
channels.
Some
channels
more
commonly
found
spread
misinformation.
Given
expansive
environment,
we
sought
characterize
use
media
for
and
determine
relationship
between
channel
acceptance.
We
used
quota
sampling
groups
[N
=
2,650]
December
13
23,
2020
conducted
bivariate
chi-squared
tests
multivariable
multinomial
logistic
regression
analyses
relative
impact
traditional
information,
especially
National
TV,
newspapers,
local
newspapers
increased
likelihood
Individuals
who
received
from
compared
social
or
both
were
most
likely
accept
The
implications
this
study
suggest
have
role
play
in
educating
vaccine,
while
should
continue
promote
data-driven
informed
content
their
viewers.
