Looking out for myself: Exploring the relationship between conspiracy mentality, perceived personal risk, and COVID-19 prevention measures
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Standard
Looking out for myself : Exploring the relationship between conspiracy mentality, perceived personal risk, and COVID-19 prevention measures. / Marinthe, Gaëlle; Brown, Genavee; Delouvée, Sylvain ; Jolley, Daniel.
In: British Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 25, No. 4, 01.11.2020, p. 957-980.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex - Download
}
RIS (suitable for import to EndNote) - Download
TY - JOUR
T1 - Looking out for myself
T2 - Exploring the relationship between conspiracy mentality, perceived personal risk, and COVID-19 prevention measures
AU - Marinthe, Gaëlle
AU - Brown, Genavee
AU - Delouvée, Sylvain
AU - Jolley, Daniel
PY - 2020/11/1
Y1 - 2020/11/1
N2 - ObjectivesThis research examined how conspiracy mentality may affect compliance with preventive health measures necessary to fight the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the underlying motivations to comply.Design and MethodWe conducted two cross‐sectional studies (Study 1 N = 762, Study 2 N = 229) on a French population, measuring conspiracy mentality, compliance with preventive health measures, and perceived risks related to COVID‐19. We also measured motivations to comply with preventive measures in Study 2.ResultsWe show that people high in conspiracy mentality are likely to engage in non‐normative prevention behaviours (Study 1), but are less willing to comply with extreme preventive behaviours that are government‐driven (Study 2). However, we demonstrate that a perceived risk to oneself (risk of death) and a motivation to protect oneself can act as a suppressor: Conspiracy mentality is linked with an increase in the perception of risk to oneself, which, in turn, is associated with normative compliance. We also find that perceived risk of death explains the relationship between conspiracy mentality and non‐normative prevention behaviours.ConclusionsOur studies showcase how people high in conspiracy theorizing may (dis)engage with prevention behaviours, but that perceived risk and motivation to protect oneself could increase these individuals’ compliance.
AB - ObjectivesThis research examined how conspiracy mentality may affect compliance with preventive health measures necessary to fight the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the underlying motivations to comply.Design and MethodWe conducted two cross‐sectional studies (Study 1 N = 762, Study 2 N = 229) on a French population, measuring conspiracy mentality, compliance with preventive health measures, and perceived risks related to COVID‐19. We also measured motivations to comply with preventive measures in Study 2.ResultsWe show that people high in conspiracy mentality are likely to engage in non‐normative prevention behaviours (Study 1), but are less willing to comply with extreme preventive behaviours that are government‐driven (Study 2). However, we demonstrate that a perceived risk to oneself (risk of death) and a motivation to protect oneself can act as a suppressor: Conspiracy mentality is linked with an increase in the perception of risk to oneself, which, in turn, is associated with normative compliance. We also find that perceived risk of death explains the relationship between conspiracy mentality and non‐normative prevention behaviours.ConclusionsOur studies showcase how people high in conspiracy theorizing may (dis)engage with prevention behaviours, but that perceived risk and motivation to protect oneself could increase these individuals’ compliance.
KW - COVID-19
KW - conspiracy mentality
KW - motivation
KW - perceived risk
KW - preventive health behaviours
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087210161&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/bjhp.12449
DO - 10.1111/bjhp.12449
M3 - Article
C2 - 32583540
VL - 25
SP - 957
EP - 980
JO - British Journal of Health Psychology
JF - British Journal of Health Psychology
SN - 1359-107X
IS - 4
ER -