Roles
Alumni Author: David Hauser '08
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-25-2023
Department 1
Psychology
Abstract
Is disease risk perception accurately calibrated among the unvaccinated? People shift their attitudes to rationalize their choices, so those who choose to be unvaccinated may be motivated to feel less at risk. In three studies (total N = 1446), we asked Americans how worried they were about catching/spreading influenza and COVID-19 and whether they were vaccinated against those diseases. Unvaccinated participants felt less at risk of catching/spreading the diseases they were unvaccinated against than vaccinated participants. For instance, unvaccinated participants felt ∼24% less at risk of catching/spreading COVID-19 and had ∼28% stronger intention to engage in activities that carried a high risk of COVID-19 transmission (Study 3). Overall, those who choose to be the most vulnerable to disease feel and act the least vulnerable.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
DOI
10.1111/spc3.12749
Version
Version of Record
Recommended Citation
Hauser, D. J., & Meier, B. P. (2023). Unvaxxed and unafraid: Unvaccinated Americans perceive less disease risk than do vaccinated Americans. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, e12749. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12749
Required Publisher's Statement
This article is available from the publisher's website.
Included in
Health Psychology Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Social Psychology Commons