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Adamus M, Šrol J, Čavojová V, Ballová Mikušková E. Seeing past the tip of your own nose? How outward and self-centred orientations could contribute to closing the green gap despite helplessness. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:79. [PMID: 36964636 PMCID: PMC10037357 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01128-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study explored moderators of the relation between environmental concerns and pro-environmental behaviour that could help close the green gap. METHODS A sample of 500 individuals (250 women) participated in the study. Apart from socio-demographic characteristics, participants answered questions about their environmental concerns and pro-environmental behaviour, collectivism and individualism, time orientation and emotional responses to climate change. RESULTS Our results corroborate the view that collectivism, future orientation and prosocial tendencies may form a single component of outward orientation, while individualism and immediate orientation form self-centred orientation. Generally, outwardly oriented individuals and those less self-centred reported more pro-environmental behaviour. However, strongly self-centred individuals, even when reporting elevated helplessness, showed increased involvement in pro-environmental behaviour once their concerns were high. CONCLUSIONS The study contributes to the literature by pointing out that both outward and self-centred orientations have the potential to insulate individuals against the negative effect helplessness may have on pro-environmental behaviour. This could inform strategies that would both prompt individuals already concerned to act and arouse more concern among those who are not yet preoccupied with climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Adamus
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Lipová 41a, 602 00, Brno-střed, Czech Republic.
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Adamus M, Čavojová V, Ballová Mikušková E. Emotional drivers of the vaccination hesitancy and refusal: A dataset from Slovakia. Data Brief 2023; 47:108980. [PMID: 36818582 PMCID: PMC9928669 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.108980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The dataset comprises responses provided by 500 individuals (250 women) recruited by an external agency to be representative of the Slovak population concerning age and gender. Participants gave written consent to participate in the study by confirming that they are over 18 and have read all the information about the study before agreeing to participate in an online survey hosted on Qualtrics. Along with socio-demographic characteristics and vaccination hesitancy and refusal, the dataset contains variables that could explain variation in dependant variables: horizontal-vertical individualism-collectivism, consideration of future consequences, prosocial motivations, helplessness, and the sense of threat caused by vaccination but also the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate change. In the original paper, the authors performed correlational analysis and hierarchical regressions investigating antecedents of vaccination hesitancy and refusal. The data inform interventions aimed at boosting vaccination rates, particularly amongst highly sceptical societies such as Slovakia. Apart from investigating the relations between various forms of prosocial behaviour such as vaccination intentions and attitudes, helping behaviour during the pandemic, and pro-environmental behaviour, the dataset offers an opportunity to delve deeper into the drivers of various forms of socially beneficial behaviour. Ultimately, the data could help corroborate the existence of two new constructs of outward orientation (comprising future orientation, collectivism and prosocial motivations) and self-centred orientation (immediate orientation and individualism) that could be useful in explaining individual differences in prosocial intentions and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Adamus
- Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Lipová 41a, Brno 602 00, Czechia,Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava 841 04, Slovakia,Corresponding author at: Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava 841 04, Slovakia.
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava 841 04, Slovakia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava 841 04, Slovakia
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Čavojová V, Šrol J, Ballová Mikušková E. Scientific reasoning is associated with rejection of unfounded health beliefs and adherence to evidence-based regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic. Curr Psychol 2023:1-15. [PMID: 36718393 PMCID: PMC9876755 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04284-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Scientific reasoning and trust in science are two facets of science understanding. This paper examines the contribution of science understanding, over and above analytic thinking, to the endorsement of conspiracy and pseudoscientific beliefs about COVID-19 and behavioral intentions to engage in the recommended preventive behavior. We examined the direct and indirect effects of science understanding on normative health behavior in a representative sample of the Slovak population (N = 1024). The results showed more support for the indirect pathway: individuals with a better understanding of science generally had fewer epistemically suspect beliefs and as a consequence tended to behave more in line with the evidence-based guidelines and get vaccinated. Neither scientific reasoning nor trust in science directly predicted non-compliance with preventive measures, but analytic thinking correlated positively with non-compliance with preventive measures. The strongest predictor of epistemically suspect beliefs was trust in science, which also directly predicted the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Therefore, reasoning about which experts or sources to believe (second-order scientific reasoning) has become more important than directly evaluating the original evidence (first-order scientific reasoning). Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04284-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Greškovičová K, Masaryk R, Synak N, Čavojová V. Superlatives, clickbaits, appeals to authority, poor grammar, or boldface: Is editorial style related to the credibility of online health messages? Front Psychol 2022; 13:940903. [PMID: 36106046 PMCID: PMC9465483 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescents, as active online searchers, have easy access to health information. Much health information they encounter online is of poor quality and even contains potentially harmful health information. The ability to identify the quality of health messages disseminated via online technologies is needed in terms of health attitudes and behaviors. This study aims to understand how different ways of editing health-related messages affect their credibility among adolescents and what impact this may have on the content or format of health information. The sample consisted of 300 secondary school students (Mage = 17.26; SDage = 1.04; 66.3% female). To examine the effects of manipulating editorial elements, we used seven short messages about the health-promoting effects of different fruits and vegetables. Participants were then asked to rate the message’s trustworthiness with a single question. We calculated second-order variable sensitivity as the derivative of the trustworthiness of a fake message from the trustworthiness of a true neutral message. We also controlled for participants’ scientific reasoning, cognitive reflection, and media literacy. Adolescents were able to distinguish overtly fake health messages from true health messages. True messages with and without editorial elements were perceived as equally trustworthy, except for news with clickbait headlines, which were less trustworthy than other true messages. The results were also the same when scientific reasoning, analytical reasoning, and media literacy were considered. Adolescents should be well trained to recognize online health messages with editorial elements characteristic of low-quality content. They should also be trained on how to evaluate these messages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarína Greškovičová
- Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Institute of Applied Psychology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
- *Correspondence: Katarína Greškovičová,
| | - Radomír Masaryk
- Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Institute of Applied Psychology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nikola Synak
- Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Institute of Applied Psychology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Adamus M, Čavojová V, Mikušková EB. Fear trumps the common good: Psychological antecedents of vaccination attitudes and behaviour. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2022; 227:103606. [PMID: 35524994 PMCID: PMC9065334 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The study investigated antecedents of attitudes towards vaccines against COVID-19 and vaccination behaviour, and sought to identify areas where interventions aimed at increasing vaccination rates would be most effective. A sample of 500 Slovaks (250 women) responded to questions concerning their socio-demographic and personality characteristics, collectivism and individualism, consciousness of future consequences, and emotional responses to both vaccination and the pandemic. The study indicates that helplessness related to the vaccine efficacy evaluation and fear of its potential risks are the strongest antecedents of vaccination behaviour and anti-vaccination attitudes. Jointly with the fear of the COVID-19, they explained over 26% and 33% of variance in behaviour and attitudes, respectively. The results indicate that the efficiency of appeals to solidarity may be limited when fear and helplessness are widespread as they seem to strongly outweigh individuals' outward motivations to get vaccinated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Adamus
- Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Czechia,Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia,Corresponding author at: Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia
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van Mulukom V, Pummerer LJ, Alper S, Bai H, Čavojová V, Farias J, Kay CS, Lazarevic LB, Lobato EJC, Marinthe G, Pavela Banai I, Šrol J, Žeželj I. Antecedents and consequences of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs: A systematic review. Soc Sci Med 2022; 301:114912. [PMID: 35354105 PMCID: PMC8920084 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories can have severe consequences; it is therefore crucial to understand this phenomenon, in its similarities with general conspiracy belief, but also in how it is context-dependent. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the available research on COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and to synthesise this research to make it widely accessible. METHODS We present a synthesis of COVID-19 conspiracy belief research from 85 international articles, identified and appraised through a systematic review, in line with contemporary protocols and guidelines for systematic reviews. RESULTS We identify a number of potential antecedents of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs (individual differences, personality traits, demographic variables, attitudes, thinking styles and biases, group identity, trust in authorities, and social media use), their consequences (protective behaviours, self-centred and misguided behaviours such as hoarding and pseudoscientific health practices, vaccination intentions, psychological wellbeing, and other negative social consequences such as discrimination and violence), and the effect sizes of their relations with the conspiracy beliefs. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that understanding both the potential antecedents and consequences of conspiracy beliefs and how they are context-dependent is highly important to tackle them, whether in the COVID-19 pandemic or future threats, such as that of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lotte J Pummerer
- Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Schleichstraße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | | | - Hui Bai
- Stanford University, United States
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Čavojová V, Adamus M, Ballová Mikušková E. You before me: How vertical collectivism and feelings of threat predicted more socially desirable behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Psychol 2022:1-12. [PMID: 35340689 PMCID: PMC8934055 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between outward orientation and COVID-related prosocial behavior, including adherence to containment measures, caring for others and providing support, limiting one's social life and responsible purchasing behavior. A sample of 500 Slovaks (250 women) aged between 18 and 86 (M = 44.32, SD = 15.66) participated in the study and responded to questions concerning their sociodemographic and personality characteristics, collectivism and individualism, the consciousness of future consequences and emotional responses to the pandemic. The results show that apart from the perceived threat of COVID-19, vertical collectivism is among the strongest antecedents of COVID-related prosocial behavior. Specifically, feelings of threat, vertical collectivism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, liberalism, and education predicted more prosocial behavior during the pandemic. Consequently, the study indicates that while excessive fear may have adverse effects on individuals' well-being, appealing to and cultivating collectivistic sentiments could contribute not only to containing the pandemic but also to making others' lives more bearable while it lasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimíra Čavojová
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Magdalena Adamus
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Šrol J, Čavojová V, Ballová Mikušková E. Finding Someone to Blame: The Link Between COVID-19 Conspiracy Beliefs, Prejudice, Support for Violence, and Other Negative Social Outcomes. Front Psychol 2022; 12:726076. [PMID: 35095634 PMCID: PMC8795973 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.726076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the appeals of conspiracy theories in times of crises is that they provide someone to blame for what has happened. Thereby, they increase distrust, negative feelings, and hostility toward implicated actors, whether those are powerful social outgroups or one’s own government representatives. Two studies reported here examine associations of COVID-19 conspiracy theories with prejudice, support for violence, and other and negative social outcomes. In Study 1 (N = 501), the endorsement of the more specific conspiracy theories about the alleged role of China was associated with more prejudiced views of Chinese and Italian people. In Study 2 (N = 1024), lowered trust in government regulations and increased hostility associated with the COVID-19 and generic conspiracy beliefs were correlated with justification of and willingness to engage in non-compliance with regulations, violent attacks on 5G masts, and anti-government protests. Across both of the studies, higher exposure to news about COVID-19 was associated with lower endorsement of conspiracy theories, but also with increased feelings of anxiety and lack of control, which in turn were correlated with higher COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs endorsement. We highlight the potential social problems which are associated with the wide-spread endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Kohút M, Šrol J, Čavojová V. How are you holding up? Personality, cognitive and social predictors of a perceived shift in subjective well-being during COVID-19 pandemic. Pers Individ Dif 2021; 186:111349. [PMID: 34690396 PMCID: PMC8523583 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
While well-being is known to be mainly predicted by relatively stable personality traits and demographic factors, under circumstances of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the role of these predictors may be attenuated, and more situational factors may come into play. In the present study, we examined those relatively stable predictors of well-being along with COVID-19 specific factors, such as the perception of health and economic threat, unrealistic optimism, lack of control, trust in government regulations, and the endorsement of conspiracy beliefs. The data collection took place in early November 2020, when the second wave in Slovakia started to gain momentum and a strict lockdown was issued. Slovak adults (N = 1020) reported their current positive and negative affect and current, as well as estimated pre-pandemic and predicted future life satisfaction. The results showed that positive and negative affect was predicted mainly by extraversion and negative emotionality. On the other hand, life satisfaction, and its perceived change from before the pandemic and in three months, was predicted mainly by COVID-19 factors, especially perceived economic threat, unrealistic optimism, and trust in governmental regulations. We discuss the importance of these factors when considering the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on peoples' well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kohút
- Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, University of Trnava, Hornopotočná 23, 918 43 Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Ballová Mikušková E, Čavojová V. Corrigendum: The Effect of Analytic Cognitive Style on Credulity. Front Psychol 2021; 12:719330. [PMID: 34248810 PMCID: PMC8264780 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.719330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Bratislava, Slovakia
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Čavojová V, Ersoy S. The role of scientific reasoning and religious beliefs in use of complementary and alternative medicine. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021; 42:e239-e248. [PMID: 31588497 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While previous research has shown that trust in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is linked with other unfounded beliefs (e.g. paranormal phenomena or pharmaceutical conspiracies) and that analytic thinking can help alter these beliefs, the role of the ability to evaluate evidence as a protective factor has not been established yet. METHODS A cross-sectional design with a hundred participants was used with self-report data from questionnaires and performance test. The dependent variables were the belief in CAM and use of CAM. Predictor variables were scientific reasoning (measured by Scientific Reasoning Scale), critical thinking dispositions (measured by Critical Thinking Disposition Instrument; UF-EMI), religious beliefs (measured by Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire), gender and age. RESULTS Scientific reasoning and religious faith independently predicted belief in alternative medicine, while the role of scientific reasoning in actual reported use of CAM diminished after religious faith, gender and age were introduced to the model. CONCLUSION The results highlight the fact that it is not enough to appeal to the general critical thinking of people, but we need to teach them some practical skills that would help them to evaluate evidence in other, health-unrelated, contexts as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre for Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84104 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Selin Ersoy
- Department of Coastal Systems, and Utrecht University, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 1790AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
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Šrol J, Ballová Mikušková E, Čavojová V. When we are worried, what are we thinking? Anxiety, lack of control, and conspiracy beliefs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Appl Cogn Psychol 2021; 35:720-729. [PMID: 33821088 PMCID: PMC8013184 DOI: 10.1002/acp.3798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Societal crises and stressful events are associated with an upsurge of conspiracy beliefs that may help people to tackle feelings of lack of control. In our study (N = 783), we examined whether people with higher feelings of anxiety and lack of control early in the COVID-19 pandemic endorse more conspiracy theories. Our results show that a higher perception of risk of COVID-19 and lower trust in institutions' response to the pandemic were related to feelings of anxiety and lack of control. Feeling the lack of control, but not anxiety, independently predicted COVID-19 conspiracy theory endorsement. Importantly, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs were strongly correlated with generic conspiracy and pseudoscientific beliefs, which were likewise associated with the feeling of lack of control and lower trust in institutions. The results highlight that considering people's emotional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for our understanding of the spread of conspiracy and pseudoscientific beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental PsychologyCentre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislavaSlovakia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Institute of Experimental PsychologyCentre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislavaSlovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental PsychologyCentre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislavaSlovakia
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Bašnáková J, Čavojová V, Šrol J. Does Concrete Content Help People to Reason Scientifically?: Adaptation of Scientific Reasoning Scale. Sci Educ (Dordr) 2021; 30:809-826. [PMID: 33867682 PMCID: PMC8035062 DOI: 10.1007/s11191-021-00207-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we explored the scientific literacy of a general sample of the Slovak adult population and examined factors that might help or inhibit scientific reasoning, namely the content of the problems. In doing so, we also verified the assumption that when faced with real-life scientific problems, people do not necessarily apply decontextualized knowledge of methodological principles, but reason from the bottom up, i.e. by predominantly relying on heuristics based on what they already know or believe about the topic. One thousand and twelve adults completed three measures of scientific literacy (science knowledge, scientific reasoning, attitudes to science) and several other related constructs (numeracy, need for cognition, PISA tasks). In general, Slovak participants' performance on scientific reasoning tasks was fairly low and dependent on the context in which the problems were presented-there was a 63% success rate for a version with concrete problems and a 56% success rate for the decontextualized version. The main contribution of this study is a modification and validation of the scientific reasoning scale using a large sample size, which allows for more thorough testing of all components of scientific literacy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11191-021-00207-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Bašnáková
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Vedejová D, Čavojová V. Confirmation bias in information search, interpretation, and memory recall: evidence from reasoning about four controversial topics. Thinking & Reasoning 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/13546783.2021.1891967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dáša Vedejová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Abstract
Belief in astrology remains strong even today, and one of the explanations why some people endorse paranormal explanations is the individual differences in analytical thinking. Therefore, the main aim of this paper was to determine the effects of priming an analytical or intuitive thinking style on the credulity of participants. In two experiments (N = 965), analytic thinking was induced and the source of fake profile (astrological reading vs. psychological testing) was manipulated and participants' prior paranormal beliefs, anomalous explanation, cognitive reflection, and depression were measured. Although analytic thinking was proved to be hard to induce experimentally, the results showed that analytic thinking predicts credulity and belief in the paranormal was linked with experiencing more anomalous experiences and more paranormal explanations. The more people were able to think analytically, the less credulous they were as reflected in the lower acceptance of fake profile as accurate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Bratislava, Slovakia
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Čavojová V, Šrol J, Ballová Mikušková E. How scientific reasoning correlates with health-related beliefs and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic? J Health Psychol 2020; 27:534-547. [PMID: 33016131 DOI: 10.1177/1359105320962266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined whether scientific reasoning is associated with health-related beliefs and behaviors over and above general analytic thinking ability in the general public (N = 783, aged 18-84). Health-related beliefs included: anti-vaccination attitudes, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, and generic health-related epistemically suspect beliefs. Scientific reasoning correlated with generic pseudoscientific and health-related conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs. Crucially, scientific reasoning was a stronger independent predictor of unfounded beliefs (including anti-vaccination attitudes) than general analytic thinking was; however, it had a more modest role in health-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Čavojová V, Šrol J, Jurkovič M. Why should we try to think like scientists? Scientific reasoning and susceptibility to epistemically suspect beliefs and cognitive biases. Appl Cognit Psychol 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological SciencesSlovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological SciencesSlovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Marek Jurkovič
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological SciencesSlovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava Slovakia
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Čavojová V, Secară EC, Jurkovič M, Šrol J. Reception and willingness to share pseudo-profound bullshit and their relation to other epistemically suspect beliefs and cognitive ability in Slovakia and Romania. Appl Cognit Psychol 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology - Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences; Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava Slovak Republic
| | | | - Marek Jurkovič
- Institute of Experimental Psychology - Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences; Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava Slovak Republic
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology - Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences; Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava Slovak Republic
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimíra Čavojová
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jakub Šrol
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Magdalena Adamus
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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20
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