In this paper, antecedents and consequences of conspiracy beliefs are investigated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. 618 individuals residing in different geographical area of Italy participated in the study. We found that perceived mortality rate of COVID-19 is positively associated with adherence to conspiracy beliefs and, in turn, with negative outcomes such as: (a) a reduced support for the measures taken to deal with the pandemic emergency, (b) a weaker feeling of guilt for the violation of anti-COVID-19 government rules, and (c) a stronger utilitarian stance which prioritizes economic over health-related outcomes of lockdown. Also, framing pandemic within the “natural order of things” – fundamental and implicit expectations concerning how life and the world should function – was expected to moderate the relationship between perceived mortality rate and conspiracy beliefs: we found this relationship to be weaker when people believe that pandemic falls into the “natural order of things”.
Is Covid-19 a natural event? Covid-19 pandemic and conspiracy beliefs / Pellegrini, V.; Giacomantonio, M.; De Cristofaro, V.; Salvati, M.; Brasini, M.; Carlo, E.; Mancini, F.; Leone, L.. - In: PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES. - ISSN 0191-8869. - 181:(2021). [10.1016/j.paid.2021.111011]
Is Covid-19 a natural event? Covid-19 pandemic and conspiracy beliefs
Pellegrini, V.
Primo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Giacomantonio, M.Secondo
Writing – Review & Editing
;De Cristofaro, V.;Leone, L.Ultimo
Supervision
2021
Abstract
In this paper, antecedents and consequences of conspiracy beliefs are investigated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. 618 individuals residing in different geographical area of Italy participated in the study. We found that perceived mortality rate of COVID-19 is positively associated with adherence to conspiracy beliefs and, in turn, with negative outcomes such as: (a) a reduced support for the measures taken to deal with the pandemic emergency, (b) a weaker feeling of guilt for the violation of anti-COVID-19 government rules, and (c) a stronger utilitarian stance which prioritizes economic over health-related outcomes of lockdown. Also, framing pandemic within the “natural order of things” – fundamental and implicit expectations concerning how life and the world should function – was expected to moderate the relationship between perceived mortality rate and conspiracy beliefs: we found this relationship to be weaker when people believe that pandemic falls into the “natural order of things”.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
