A synthesis of evidence for policy from behavioural science during COVID-19

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 625(7993), P. 134 - 147

Published: Dec. 13, 2023

Scientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions

Language: Английский

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Reveling in Mayhem: The Need for Chaos in Pandemic Psychology

Journal of Social Issues, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 81(1)

Published: Feb. 18, 2025

ABSTRACT The COVID‐19 pandemic is a critical challenge to public health, with authorities emphasizing the importance of measures like vaccination curb its spread. Yet, misperceptions, including distrust in scientists and conspiratorial beliefs about disease, pose significant barriers these efforts. Amid turmoil pandemic, that is, there are some who revel mayhem. Our research investigates need for chaos (NFC)—the drive disrupt societal institutions—as predictor misperceptions. In an online sample ( N = 1079 individuals), we found those high NFC also more anti‐intellectual, less cognitively sophisticated, prone thinking, COVID‐19, reported reduced willingness engage other forms disease mitigation, such as social distancing. These observations emerged while controlling ideology psychological, political, demographic variables. We find evidence relationships between COVID‐19‐specific behaviors may be explained by greater endorsement conspiracy theories (CTs). consider implications findings scientific understanding psychology, political challenges surround effective mitigation issues concerning health.

Language: Английский

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Trust in science and belief in misinformation mediate the effects of political orientation on vaccine hesitancy and intention to be vaccinated

Acta Psychologica, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 237, P. 103945 - 103945

Published: May 19, 2023

In previous studies, anti-vaccination attitudes have been attributed either to far-right voters or both far-left and voters. The present study investigated the associations of political orientation with vaccine hesitancy intention be vaccinated against COVID-19, potential mediating roles trust in science belief misinformation. A total 750 Italian respondents completed an online questionnaire period between second third wave COVID-19 (from 9th March May 2021). results showed that had direct indirect intention, mediated by Specifically, right-wing adherents were less trustful scientists believed COVID-19-related misinformation more than left-wing adherents, these two factors accounted for their higher reduced willingness receive anti-COVID-19 vaccination. Our findings are line predictions mindsponge theory suggest communicative campaigns aimed at improving rates acceptance should specifically focused on enhancing reducing

Language: Английский

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COVID-19 Spillover Effects onto General Vaccine Attitudes

Public Opinion Quarterly, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 88(1), P. 97 - 122

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

Abstract Even amid the unprecedented public health challenges attributable to COVID-19 pandemic, opposition vaccinating against novel coronavirus has been both prevalent and politically contentious in American life. In this paper, we theorize that attitudes toward vaccination might “spill over” shape “postpandemic” programs policy mandates for years come. We find be case using evidence from a large, original panel study, as well two observational surveys, conducted on adults during pandemic. Specifically, observe of vaccine spillover onto general skepticism, flu shot intention, hypothetical vaccines (i.e., development), which do not have preexisting attitudinal connotations. Further, these effects vary by partisanship status, with political left those who received or more doses becoming provaccine, while right unvaccinated became anti-vaccine. Taken together, results point salience politicization impacting non-COVID attitudes. end discussing implications study effective messaging.

Language: Английский

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Conspiracy Theories and their Believers

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

This Element leverages a comparative approach to understand how conspiracy theories and their believers differ within across countries. Using original survey data from eight varied cases (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Lebanon, Morocco, South Africa, the United States) authors present specific contemporary theories, illustrate these appeal in national context, determine whether characteristics of typical theory believer vary setting. They first demonstrate that there is wide range some which have worldwide reach, whereas others are more context specific. Then, they show determinants individual conspiracism very similar Western world but do not necessarily travel Morocco Africa. Lastly, summarize main conclusions this discuss need for greater research on propose clear areas future research.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the Association between Misinformation Endorsement, Opinions on the Government Response, Risk Perception, and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the US, Canada, and Italy

Vaccines, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10(5), P. 671 - 671

Published: April 23, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the adverse consequences created by an infodemic, specifically bringing attention to compliance with public health guidance and vaccine uptake. hesitancy is a complex construct that related beliefs, misinformation exposure, perceptions of governmental institutions. This study draws on theoretical models current data infodemic explore association between perceived risk COVID-19, level endorsement, opinions about government response We surveyed sample 2697 respondents from US, Canada, Italy using mobile platform 21-28 May 2021. Using multivariate regression, we found country residence, perception contracting spreading transparency, endorsement were associated odds hesitancy. Higher was lower hesitancy, while higher

Language: Английский

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Conspiracy beliefs, COVID-19 vaccine uptake and adherence to public health interventions during the pandemic in Europe

European Journal of Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(4), P. 717 - 724

Published: May 31, 2023

Conspiracy beliefs can be a major hindrance causing lack of compliance with public health measures, including vaccination. We examined the relationship between individual attitudes, socio-demographic factors, conspiracy beliefs, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and preferences about pandemic policies in Europe.We used data from 10th round European Social Survey, conducted 2021-22 17 countries. Both index personal attitude for each participant were built by using Latent Class Analysis model. Then, we multilevel regression model to investigate attitudes index, factors country residence, index. descriptively analyse four main items related COVID-19.We found that higher probability believing theories was associated male gender, middle age, lower levels education, unemployment, trust satisfaction right-wing political orientation. The residence contextual factor, eastern countries having beliefs. Individuals who expressed had uptake, less satisfied way services coped supportive governmental restrictions.This study provides valuable insights into their potential impact on health. findings highlight need effective strategies address underlying driving reduce promote acceptance interventions.

Language: Английский

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The anatomy of conspiracy theorists: Unveiling traits using a comprehensive Twitter dataset

Computer Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 217, P. 25 - 40

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

The discourse around conspiracy theories is currently thriving amidst the rampant misinformation in online environments. Research this field has been focused on detecting social media, often relying limited datasets. In study, we present a novel methodology for constructing Twitter dataset that encompasses accounts engaged conspiracy-related activities throughout year 2022. Our approach centers data collection independent of specific and information operations. Additionally, our includes control group comprising randomly selected users who can be fairly compared to individuals involved activities. This comprehensive effort yielded total 15K 37M tweets extracted from their timelines. We conduct comparative analysis two groups across three dimensions: topics, profiles, behavioral characteristics. results indicate exhibit similarity terms profile metadata However, they diverge significantly behavior activity, particularly regarding discussed terminology used, stance trending subjects. addition, find no significant disparity presence bot between groups. Finally, develop classifier identify using features borrowed bot, troll linguistic literature. demonstrate high accuracy level (with an F1 score 0.94), enabling us uncover most discriminating associated with accounts.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating expectations from social and behavioral science about COVID-19 and lessons for the next pandemic

Published: Oct. 10, 2022

Social and behavioral science research proliferated during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting substantial increase in influence of public health policy more broadly. This review presents a comprehensive assessment 742 scientific articles on human behavior COVID-19. Two independent teams evaluated 19 substantive recommendations (“claims”) potentially critical aspects behaviors pandemic drawn from most widely cited papers Teams were made up original authors an team, all whom blinded to other team member reviews throughout. Both found evidence support 16 claims; for two claims, only null evidence; no claims did find effects opposite direction. One claim had available assess. Seemingly due risks studies limited surveys, highlighting need investment field validation studies. The strongest findings indicate interventions that combat misinformation polarization, utilize effective forms messaging engage trusted leaders emphasize positive social norms.

Language: Английский

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Partisanship and Covid-19 vaccination in the UK

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Nov. 18, 2022

Abstract This article examines the association between partisanship and vaccination in UK. The lower rates among Republicans US have been linked to ideology President Trump’s anti-vaccination rhetoric. By contrast, both ruling opposition parties UK promoted national program. Using two datasets at constituency individual levels, we analyse whether there are partisan differences uptake when garners cross-party support. Our findings contrast important ways from case. First, correlation is opposite that of US: Conservative constituencies individuals associated with higher than Labour across almost all age groups. Thus, right-leaning do not necessarily vaccinate less, least their political party power supportive vaccination. Second, alone accounts for a large share variation rates, but this appears largely driven by socio-economic demographic differences: older economically better off tend be more vaccinated. Once these controls included, shrinks substantially. Hence, ideological source gap smaller US.

Language: Английский

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