scholarly journals How populism and conservative media fuel conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 and what it means for COVID-19 behaviors

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 205316802199397
Author(s):  
Dominik A. Stecula ◽  
Mark Pickup
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Partisan Polarization ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
American Society ◽  
Conservative Media ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

Research examining attitudes and behaviors of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic has largely focused on partisanship as a lens through which many Americans see the coronavirus. Given the importance of partisan affiliation and the degree of partisan polarization in the American society, that is certainly an important driver of public opinion, and a necessary one to understand. But an overlooked set of predispositions might also shape COVID beliefs and attitudes: populism. It is a worldview that pits average citizens against “the elites” and, importantly in the context of a pandemic, it includes anti-intellectual attitudes such as distrust of experts (including scientists). We find that populism is correlated with conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19, above and beyond partisanship. Furthermore, we find that conservative media consumption tends to be a stronger predictor of conspiracy belief among those high in populism than among those low in populism. We also show that these beliefs have consequences: those who believe the conspiracy theories about COVID-19 are less likely to adapt behaviors recommended by public health officials.

scholarly journals Fake News Known as Fake Still Changes Beliefs and Leads to Partisan Polarization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Bai
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Smoking Ban ◽  
Social Stability ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Popular Approach ◽  
Partisan Polarization ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

The explosion of misinformation has undermined public health, uprooted social stability, and threatened the proper functioning of democracies and governance. Helping citizens recognize fake news as fake has been a popular approach in many intervention studies. However, is it possible that fake news that we already know is false still can change our beliefs and attitudes? This paper suggests that the answer is yes. Participants who were thoroughly instructed that they were going to read a made-up article about partisans’ diverging attitude on a novel issue, smoking ban in public places, still end up believing the content. Furthermore, their exposure to the article also shaped their own attitude on the issue based on their partisanship, and the effects are still observable two days later and again ten days later. These findings have profound implications for misinformation research, media practice, polarization and democracy, and common research practices such as deception and debriefing after deception.

The Burden of Being Certain: National Identity Certainty Predicts Support for COVID-Related Draconian Measures and Outgroup Conspiracy Beliefs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaiyuan Chen ◽  
Jinghui Zhang ◽  
Xiang Ao ◽  
Jeffrey Ramdass
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total N ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced various controversies. Some people debate about the usage of “draconian” measures of social distancing (e.g., lockdown). Others concern the origin of the pandemic with some buying conspiracy theories that attribute the cause of COVID-19 to the plot of some powerful outgroups. The current research examined national identity certainty (i.e., the certainty people placed in national identity) as predictor of these beliefs and attitudes. Two studies (total N = 625), one longitudinal and one cross-sectional, revealed that individual differences in national identity certainty predicted increased support of draconian measures and increased outgroup conspiracy beliefs. Moreover, realistic (but not symbolic) threat accounted for the increased support for draconian measures. Symbolic (but not realistic) threat accounted for the increased outgroup conspiracy beliefs. Our findings highlight how national identity certainty constrains individuals’ beliefs and attitudes towards issues related to the pandemic.

Morality in the echo chamber: The relationship between belief in conspiracy theories, morality and support for COVID-19 public health policies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theofilos Gkinopoulos ◽  
Christian T. Elbaek ◽  
Panagiotis Mitkidis
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs

Beliefs in conspiracy theories are a major problem, especially in the face of a pandemic, as these constitute a significant obstacle to public health policies, like the use of masks and vaccination. Indeed, during the COVID-19 pandemic, several ungrounded explanations regarding the origin of the virus or the effects of vaccinations have been rising, leading to vaccination hesitancy or refusal which poses as a threat to public health. Recent studies have shown that in the core of conspiracy theories lies a moral evaluation component; one that triggers a moral reasoning which reinforces the conspiracy itself. To gain a better understanding of how conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 affect public health containment behaviours and policy support, we analysed comprehensive data from the International Collaboration on the Social & Moral Psychology (ICSMP) of COVID-19, consisting of more than 50.000 participants across 67 countries. We particularly explored the mediating role of two levels of morality: individual and group-based morality. Results show that believing in conspiracy theories reduces adoption of containment health-related behaviors and political support of public health measures and that this relationship is mediated by the two levels of morality. This means that beliefs in conspiracy theories do not simply constitute antecedents of cognitive biases or failures, nor maladaptive behaviors based on personality traits, but are morally infused and should be dealt as such. Based on our findings, we further discuss the psychological, moral, and political implications of endorsement of conspiracy theories in the era of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Conspiracy Beliefs Are Related to the Use of Smartphones behind the Wheel

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7725
Author(s):  
Pedro M. Valero-Mora ◽  
Juan José Zacaréss ◽  
Mar Sánchez-García ◽  
María Teresa Tormo-Lancero ◽  
Mireia Faus
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
To Receive

The belief in conspiracy theories predicts behaviors related to public health such as the willingness to receive vaccines. This study applies a similar approach to an aspect of road safety: the use of smartphones while driving. A representative sample of 1706 subjects answered a series of questions related to what can be regarded as erroneous or conspiracy beliefs against restricting or banning the use of smartphones while driving. The results show that those having such conspiracy beliefs reported a greater use of smartphones behind the wheel.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Scientific Facts vs. Conspiracy Theories: Is Science Failing to Pass Its Message?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6343
Author(s):  
Marios Constantinou ◽  
Antonios Kagialis ◽  
Maria Karekla
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Lower Education ◽  
Scientific Facts

Science may be failing to convince a significant number of people about COVID-19 scientific facts and needed public health measures. Individual and social factors are behind believing conspiracy theories. Adults (N = 1001) were asked to rate their beliefs in various conspiracy theories circulating in social media, rate their psychological distress relating to COVID-19, rate their trust in science to solve COVID-19 problems, and rate their willingness to adhere to measures regarding social distancing and quarantine. The findings showed conspiracy theories are widely believed and related to lower age, lower education, living in less densely populated areas, and lower income. Stronger conspiracy theory beliefs predicted science mistrust and unwillingness to adhere to public health measures. Psychological state was a strong predictor of conspiracy beliefs. Recommendations, stemming from the findings, for reducing such beliefs and better serving public health are discussed.

scholarly journals Conspiracy beliefs and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccinations

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 183449092110398
Author(s):  
Monica Pivetti ◽  
Silvia Di Battista ◽  
Francesca Giorgia Paleari ◽  
Eemeli Hakoköngäs
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

During the coronavirus pandemic, this study aimed to investigate the impact of conspiracy beliefs on Finnish attitudes toward vaccinations in general and COVID-19 vaccinations in particular. This study was a conceptual replication in Finland of a study by Pivetti et al. (2021) . Some 529 Finnish participants responded to a self-report questionnaire during the partial lockdown in Finland in spring 2020. The hypothesized relationships between variables of interest were integrated in a serial multiple mediation model via structural equation modelling. Results showed that endorsing general conspiracy beliefs directly predicted (1) general attitudes toward vaccines and (2) COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, and indirectly predicted (3) attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines via the serial mediation of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and general attitudes toward vaccines. As for the antecedents of beliefs in conspiracy theories, political orientation and moral purity predicted beliefs in COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Trust in science was inversely related to general conspiracy beliefs. As for the consequences of conspiracy beliefs, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs directly predicted support for governmental restrictions (negatively) and the perception of informational contamination (positively).

scholarly journals On the measurement of conspiracy beliefs

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 205316801876359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Enders ◽  
Steven M. Smallpage
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Motivated Reasoning ◽  
Barack Obama ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Public Opinion Surveys ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Measurement Strategies

Are so-called “birthers” best thought of as true conspiracy theorists, or are they merely partisans expressing a sharp dislike of Barack Obama? Recent work on conspiracy beliefs finds that “birthers” are the product of partisan and ideological motivated reasoning. In this manuscript, we explore how the measurement strategies we employ on public opinion surveys may influence the substantive conclusions we draw about conspiratorial beliefs, rumors, and misinformation. We find that partisan stimuli influence reported beliefs in several different conspiracy theories, and, subsequently, the relationships between individual stated beliefs in those conspiracy theories. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Empowerment as a Tool to Reduce Belief in Conspiracy Theories

2018 ◽  
pp. 432-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan-Willem van Prooijen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
The Public ◽  
Decision Outcomes ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Conspiracy theories can be harmful for public health, global warming, safety, conflict, and political polarization. What interventions help reduce the appeal of conspiracy theories? It is well-known that conspiracy theories flourish among citizens who feel powerless and out of control, however I argue that the opposite is also true: that feeling empowered and in control of one’s social environment reduces belief in conspiracy theories. Given this, authorities can reduce conspiracy beliefs among the public by installing procedural justice principles in decision-making processes. Procedural justice increases feelings of empowerment and trust, even among followers who disagree with the decision outcomes.

scholarly journals COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, health behaviors, and policy support

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 850-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie A Earnshaw ◽  
Lisa A Eaton ◽  
Seth C Kalichman ◽  
Natalie M Brousseau ◽  
E Carly Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Multivariable Regression

Abstract Conspiracy theories have been proliferating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests that belief in conspiracy theories undermines engagement in pro-health behaviors and support for public health policies. Moreover, previous work suggests that inoculating messages from opinion leaders that expose conspiracy theories as false before people are exposed to them can help to prevent belief in new conspiracies. Goals of this study were to: (a) explore associations between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine intentions, cooperation with public health recommendations, and support for public health policies among U.S. adults and (b) investigate trusted sources of COVID-19 information to inform strategies to address conspiracy beliefs. A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with 845 U.S. adults in April 2020. Data were analyzed using analyses of variance and multivariable regressions. One-third (33%) of participants believed one or more conspiracies about COVID-19. Participants who believed conspiracies reported that their intentions to vaccinate were 3.9 times lower and indicated less support for COVID-19 public health policies than participants who disbelieved conspiracies. There were no differences in cooperation with public health recommendations by conspiracy belief endorsement in the multivariable regression analysis. Although there were some key differences in trusted sources of COVID-19 information, doctor(s) were the most trusted source of information about COVID-19 overall with 90% of participants trusting doctor(s). Doctor(s) may play a role in addressing COVID-19 conspiracy theories before people are exposed to them to promote COVID-19 prevention efforts.

scholarly journals Are COVID-19 conspiracies a threat to public health? Psychological characteristics and health protective behaviours of believers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Juanchich ◽  
Miroslav Sirota ◽  
Daniel Jolles ◽  
lilith whiley
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Mind Set ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Protective Behaviours

The fast-changing COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to many conspiracy theories, and these have the potential to undermine public health measures and safeguarding behaviours. We conducted three studies before and during the COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom (UK) (n = 302, 404 and 399) to (i) identify the prevalence of COVID-19 conspiracy theories in the UK, (ii) map their socio-psychological predictors, and (iii) investigate their association with health safeguarding behaviours. We found COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs were prevalent (25% of participants endorsed at least one) and predicted by beliefs in unrelated conspiracies, a conspiracy mind-set, distrust in governmental authorities, education, and cognitive reflection. Unexpectedly, COVID-19 conspiracy believers adhered to basic health guidelines both before and after the lockdown as strictly as non-believers (e.g., washing hands, social distancing) and adopted more advanced health protective behaviours not (yet) officially recommended in the UK (e.g., wearing a mask, washing groceries with soap). Conspiracy believers were also more reluctant to install the contact-tracing app, get tested for and vaccinated against COVID-19 because of the perceived risks associated with these procedures. We discuss psychological characteristics that explain the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and people’s behaviours and intentions, and suggest practical recommendations for public health initiatives.

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