Trust in scientists, risk perception, conspiratorial beliefs, and unrealistic optimism: A network approach to investigating the psychological underpinnings of COVID-19 vaccination intentions
Publikation: Beiträge in Zeitschriften › Zeitschriftenaufsätze › Forschung › begutachtet
Authors
Using a network approach, we addressed in two studies interrelations among potential antecedents of vaccine intentions, related to both COVID-19 risk perception and epistemic beliefs (i.e., trust in scientists and conspiracy beliefs). In Study 1 and 2, we assessed a US (N = 994) and an international sample (N = 902) during spring and summer 2020. The network analysis reveals a complex interplay of factors where trust in scientists, the closest predictor of vaccine intention, is associated with conspiracy beliefs and danger perception. Furthermore, we found evidence for unrealistic optimism, with participants perceiving the risk of getting infected with COVID-19 as lower compared to the risk they attributed to other people. However, this bias was not associated with vaccine intention. Study 2 corroborated these results. The results call for a global change in the narrative which should highlight the epistemic authority of science in order to build a stronger trust in the scientific community. However, tackling trust in scientists needs a wider field of persuasion that includes conspiracy beliefs and risk perception factors.
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Aufsatznummer | e7807 |
| Zeitschrift | Social Psychological Bulletin |
| Jahrgang | 17 |
| Anzahl der Seiten | 22 |
| ISSN | 1896-1800 |
| DOIs | |
| Publikationsstatus | Erschienen - 12.10.2022 |
| Extern publiziert | Ja |
Bibliographische Notiz
Funding Information:
Funding: This research was supported by grants: 1) RID (Regionalna Inicjatywa Doskonałości Mazowsza - Regional Excellence Initiative for Masovian District): “Unrealistic optimism in the age of pandemic. Health research and ensuring safety for the inhabitants of Mazovia district” granted to Dariusz Dolinski (2020/2). 2) NAWA (the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) granted to Wojciech Kulesza. 3) The Polish Association of Social Psychology (PSPS Polskie Stowarzyszenie Psychologii Społecznej), junior members grant programme on COVID-19 granted to Paweł Muniak.
Funding Information:
This research was supported by grants: 1) RID (Regionalna Inicjatywa Doskonałočci Mazowsza - Regional Excellence Initiative for Masovian District): "Unrealistic optimism in the age of pandemic. Health research and ensuring safety for the inhabitants of Mazovia district" granted to Dariusz Dolinski (2020/2). 2) NAWA (the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) granted to Wojciech Kulesza. 3) The Polish Association of Social Psychology (PSPS Polskie Stowarzyszenie Psychologii Społecznej), junior members grant programme on COVID-19 granted to Paweł Muniak.
Publisher Copyright:
© Social Psychological Bulletin.All rights reserved.
- Psychologie
- Wirtschaftspsychologie
Fachgebiete
- Angewandte Psychologie
- Sozialpsychologie
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
- SDG 3 – Gute Gesundheit und Wohlergehen