While the world is eagerly awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine, wearing masks has become more or less mandatory globally to help prevent the outbreak. Although many people wear masks and follow public health advice, Some rebels And argues that he has been masked against his will.
With the wearing of masks and social disturbances, it is down to the individual to decide whether to comply with it, yet what is not affecting is not straightforward. Demographic factors such as Income level, political affiliation, And Gender Are all people connected that people like to wear masks and keep socially distance.
However, psychology can go some way to explain why behavioral differences occur. Previous research has shown that psychological factors such as a person’s Risk perception And Leaning towards risky behavior Effect of adherence to health practices. This is now seen in the current epidemic.
One pre study (Yet being peer reviewed) have shown that a greater propensity for risky decision-making goes hand-in-hand with being less likely to wear a mask or maintain social distance. In Another piece of researchRisk perceptions of COVID-19 are cited as a driver regardless of how socially distance people are.
And there may be another psychological explanation: the occurrence of “Psychological response”. This is where people recognize that they have the freedom to behave and experience negative feelings when they are a threat to such freedom, and therefore be motivated to reestablish it.
This means that when called to wear a mask and socially distant, some people Their behavioral independence may be in danger. Anger and other negative feelings follow. To alleviate these uncomfortable feelings, these individuals may try to restore their independence by not following the advice.
Possible problem of psychological reaction is discussed Early epidemic, And now is Is being investigated Especially about masks.
How to encourage wearing masks
Just as psychology can help explain why people may reject masks, it can provide guidance to people on how to accept them. a Variety of techniques Social psychology can persuade people about health advice such as wearing masks, socializing away, and self-isolation.
Is a major persuasion method Consensus drawing. When you show people that an attitude is shared (or not) by others, they are more likely to adopt it. Seeing someone wearing a mask makes it more likely that others will do the same. Persuasion strategies can therefore focus on ensuring that people consider wearing masks to be widespread – perhaps by portraying it often in the media or making it mandatory in some places.
We also know previous studies If they are clear, precise, simple and consistent – and if they are more likely to comply with public health guidelines, people Trust source From which they come.
But the effectiveness of these types of “one-size-fits-all” for persuasion and behavior change is likely to be limited. Preliminary findings in the field of Personal persuasion It is suggested that it may be more effective for people to try the Bespoke approach based on a combination of their salient characteristics (their “psychological profile”).
For example, in A Recent piece We identified three main personality profiles based on non-COVID research. People who are more shy, socially hesitant, and anxious report that they are more likely to be taken in by those in authority, while those who are more self-oriented and manipulative Feel the opposite; They report less likely to be affected by authority figures.
In addition, in the third group – those who agree, are extroverted, and dutiful – the report is likely to be persuaded to do something if it is consistent with what they have done before, and less likely if they have to The situation requires a change. This means that if they have decided in the past that wearing masks is a bad thing, they are more likely to resist later attempts to wear them.
A recent article has concluded Yelling at people Wearing masks will not help, and this research back into personal persuasion. Only those in the shy and anxious group would be likely to respond to such a direct and weighty strategy. A better strategy would be to try an individualistic approach that tries to understand the changing motivations of different groups of people – including the psychological response in sports – and then Tailor message Individuals accordingly.
By this article Helen wall, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Edge Hill University; Alex Balani, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Edge Hill University, And Derek Larkin, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Edge Hill University Republished from chit chat Under a Creative Commons license. read the Original article.
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