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UrduConspiracy theories have been the gasoline on the fire that has sparked resistance to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and doubts over the danger of the disease.
That resistance has escalated into protests in several states.
Conspiracy theory expert Joanne Miller, an associate professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware, answered five questions about the danger and psychology at work behind these beliefs regarding the coronavirus.
Some highlights:
– Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe coronavirus-related conspiracy theories, Miller said, but that is because the president in power is a Republican who is being criticized for his handling of the situation. Anyone is succeptible to believing and spreading conspiracy theories, regardless of political affilation, she added.
– Others who are more apt to buy into COVID-19 conspiracies are those who are facing uncertainty – loss of job or sudden need to juggle with kids home – regardless of political affiliation. “Because we know these beliefs arise from psychological needs to gain control and needs to bolster our world views, anyone of us can be succeptible to these type of beliefs at any given time,” Miller said.
– She said that as the situation develops, the spread of conspiracy theories could lead to a resistance to taking antibody tests or getting a vaccine when one is available.
Miller is available for interviews to discuss the partisan nature of coronavirus-related conspiracy theories, the psychology behind conspiracy theories and what can be done to stop their spread.
Original post https://alertarticles.info
