scholarly journals Gathering, processing, and interpreting information about COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnout B. Boot ◽  
Anita Eerland ◽  
Joran Jongerling ◽  
Peter P. J. L. Verkoeijen ◽  
Rolf A. Zwaan
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Need For Cognition ◽  
Longitudinal Survey ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Cognitive Closure ◽  
Need For Cognitive Closure ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Cognitive Motivation ◽  
Over Time

AbstractDoes cognitive motivation influence how people gather and interpret information about COVID-19 and their adherence to measures? To address these questions, we conducted a longitudinal survey among European and American respondents. Wave 1 (N = 501) was conducted on March 27, 2020 and Wave 2 (N = 326) on July 1, 2020. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge, endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories, media use, Need for Cognition (NC), Need for Cognitive Closure (NCC), and self-reported adherence to governmental measures taken. Results showed that nearly three-quarters of our respondents actively searched for information about COVID-19. Most at least once a day. Information seeking behaviour was not influenced by cognitive motivation (i.e., NC and NCC). However, cognitive motivation was related to (1) knowledge about COVID-19, (2) conspiracy rejection, and (3) change in knowledge over time. Respondents with more knowledge on COVID-19 also indicated to adhere more often to measures taken by their government. Self-reported adherence to measures was not influenced by cognitive motivation. Implications of these findings will be discussed.

scholarly journals Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Reduces Social Distancing over Time

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kinga Bierwiaczonek ◽  
Jonas R. Kunst ◽  
Olivia Pich
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Survey ◽  
Wide Spread ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Longitudinal Survey Data ◽  
Distance Methods ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Over Time

Background Conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 are wide-spread and have even been propagated by highly ranked state officials and politicians in the U.S. Health authorities have cautioned that such theories, although not questioning the existence of the pandemic, may increase the spread of the virus by reducing people’s efforts to socially distance. Methods We test this proposition empirically using longitudinal survey data collected at five time points during the early outbreak of the virus in the U.S. (N = 403). ResultsMultivariate growth curve analyses showed that, although conspiracy beliefs decreased and social distancing increased over time, people holding more conspiracy beliefs at the beginning of the pandemic showed the lowest increase in social distancing. Moreover, cross-lagged analyses demonstrated that people who reported more conspiracy beliefs at any wave tended to report less social distancing at the following wave. ConclusionsOur findings show that COVID-19 conspiracy theories pose a significant threat to public health as they may reduce adherence to social distancing measures.Keywords Conspiracy theories, COVID-19, social distancing, longitudinal

Toward an Integrated Cognition Perspective on Ethnic Prejudice

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 719-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas De keersmaecker ◽  
Dries H. Bostyn ◽  
Johnny R. J. Fontaine ◽  
Alain Van Hiel ◽  
Arne Roets
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Cognitive Closure ◽  
Right Wing Authoritarianism ◽  
Ethnic Prejudice ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Need For Cognitive Closure ◽  
Cognitive Motivation ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
Independent Effects

Both ability and motivation aspects of cognition have been shown to relate to ethnic prejudice. In line with recent theorizing, the present study advances an integrated cognition perspective on ethnic prejudice by examining the interplay between cognitive ability (measured with the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test) and cognitive motivation (measured with the Need for Cognitive Closure [NFC] Scale) in a Belgian, heterogeneous adult sample ( N = 315). Path analysis revealed that intelligence and NFC each have unique and independent effects on ethnic prejudice, and that both right-wing authoritarianism and essentialist thinking play a mediating role in these effects. Hence, although cognitive abilities and motivations are to some extent interrelated and operate in similar ways, they uniquely and additively contribute to the explained variance in ethnic prejudice.

Influence of Need for Cognition and Need for Cognitive Closure on Information Behaviour: Qualitative Results

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Fortier
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Critical Incidents ◽  
Need For Cognition ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cognitive Closure ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Need For Cognitive Closure ◽  
Premier Cycle

This project studies the influence of two traits, Need for Cognition and Need for Cognitive Closure, on information behaviour. Qualitative analysis of 40 critical incidents collected through semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students demonstrates four distinct profiles: inquisitive enthusiasts, pragmatic enthusiasts, indifferent minimalists and concerned minimalists.Ce projet étudie l'influence de deux traits, le besoin de cognition et le besoin de clôture cognitive, sur le comportement informationnel. L'analyse qualitative de 40 incidents critiques recueillis au moyen d'entrevues semi-structurées avec des étudiants de premier cycle met en évidence quatre profils distincts : l’enthousiaste curieux, l’enthousiaste pragmatique, le minimaliste indifférent et le minimaliste préoccupé.

Influence of Need for Cognition and Need for Cognitive Closure on Information Behaviour

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Fortier
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Need For Cognition ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Cognitive Closure ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Need For Cognitive Closure

This project examines the influence of need for cognition and need for cognitive closure on information behaviour. Clear links between variations in the two variables observed in the literature and aspects of information behaviour are presented, along with a mixed methods design for the project.Ce projet examine l’influence du besoin cognitif et du besoin d’une finalité cognitive sur le comportement informationnel. Sont présentés des liens clairs entre les variations pour les deux variables observées dans la littérature et les aspects du comportement informationnel, ainsi que la conception de la méthodologie mixte du projet.

scholarly journals Uncertainty and Motivation to Seek Information from Pharmacy Automated Communications

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Bones ◽  
Martin Nunlee
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Telephone Call ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Automated Systems ◽  
Cognitive Closure ◽  
Need For Cognitive Closure ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Telephone Calls

Pharmacy personnel often answer telephones to respond to pharmacy customers (subjects) who received messages from automated systems. This research examines the communication process in terms of how users interact and engage with pharmacies after receiving automated messages. No study has directly addressed automated telephone calls and subjects’ interactions. The purpose of this study is to test the interpersonal communication (IC) process of uncertainty in subjects in receipt of automated telephone calls from pharmacies. Subjects completed a survey of validated scales for Satisfaction (S); Relevance (R); Quality (Q); Need for Cognitive Closure (NFC). Relationships between S, R, Q, NFC, and subject preference to an automated telephone call (ATC) were analyzed to determine whether subjects contacting pharmacies display information seeking behavior. This research demonstrates that seeking information occurs if subjects: are dissatisfied with the content of the ATC; perceive that the Q of the ATC is high; perceive that the Q of ATC is high, and like receiving the ATC or with high NFC, and do not like receiving ATCs. Other interactions presented complexities amongst uncertainty and tolerance of NFC within the IC process.

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