Trust in scientists, risk perception, conspiratorial beliefs, and unrealistic optimism: A network approach to investigating the psychological underpinnings of COVID-19 vaccination intentions
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Salvador Casara, Bruno Gabriel
Martinez-Conde, Susana
Dolinski, Dariusz
Suitner, Caterina
Genschow, Oliver
Muniak, Pawel
Kulesza, Wojciech
Abstract / Description
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 in comparison 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.
Keyword(s)
COVID-19 optimism pessimism unrealistic optimism bias risk perception vaccination hesitancy cognitive illusions positive illusions conspiracy coronavirus trust in sciencePersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2022-06-29
Journal title
Social Psychological Bulletin
Publisher
PsychArchives
Publication status
acceptedVersion
Review status
reviewed
Is version of
Citation
Salvador Casara, B. G., Martinez-Conde, S., Dolinski, D., Suitner, C., Genschow, O., Muniak, P., & Kulesza, W. (in press). Trust in scientists, risk perception, conspiratorial beliefs, and unrealistic optimism: A network approach to investigating the psychological underpinnings of COVID-19 vaccination intentions [Accepted manuscript]. Social Psychological Bulletin. http://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.7060
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Salvador_Casara_Martinez-Conde_Dolinski_et_al_2022_COVID-19_vaccination_intentions_SPB_AAM.pdfAdobe PDF - 913.72KBMD5: c91c7940cf2e6c990f37fa60fc47b603Description: Accepted Manuscript
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Salvador Casara, Bruno Gabriel
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Martinez-Conde, Susana
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Dolinski, Dariusz
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Suitner, Caterina
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Genschow, Oliver
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Muniak, Pawel
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Kulesza, Wojciech
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2022-06-29T20:39:24Z
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Made available on2022-06-29T20:39:24Z
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Date of first publication2022-06-29
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Abstract / DescriptionUsing 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 in comparison 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.en_US
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Publication statusacceptedVersionen_US
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Review statusrevieweden_US
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SponsorshipThis 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.en_US
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CitationSalvador Casara, B. G., Martinez-Conde, S., Dolinski, D., Suitner, C., Genschow, O., Muniak, P., & Kulesza, W. (in press). Trust in scientists, risk perception, conspiratorial beliefs, and unrealistic optimism: A network approach to investigating the psychological underpinnings of COVID-19 vaccination intentions [Accepted manuscript]. Social Psychological Bulletin. http://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.7060en_US
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ISSN2569-653X
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/6367
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.7060
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Language of contentengen_US
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PublisherPsychArchivesen_US
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.32872/spb.7807
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.12483
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Is related tohttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.12483
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Keyword(s)COVID-19en_US
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Keyword(s)optimismen_US
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Keyword(s)pessimismen_US
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Keyword(s)unrealistic optimism biasen_US
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Keyword(s)risk perceptionen_US
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Keyword(s)vaccination hesitancyen_US
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Keyword(s)cognitive illusionsen_US
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Keyword(s)positive illusionsen_US
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Keyword(s)conspiracyen_US
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Keyword(s)coronavirusen_US
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Keyword(s)trust in scienceen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleTrust in scientists, risk perception, conspiratorial beliefs, and unrealistic optimism: A network approach to investigating the psychological underpinnings of COVID-19 vaccination intentionsen_US
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DRO typearticleen_US
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Journal titleSocial Psychological Bulletinen_US
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Visible tag(s)PsychOpen GOLDen_US
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Visible tag(s)Accepted Manuscripten_US