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Perceived risk, political polarization, and the willingness to follow COVID-19 mitigation guidelines

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  • Block, Ray
  • Burnham, Michael
  • Kahn, Kayla
  • Peng, Rachel
  • Seeman, Jeremy
  • Seto, Christopher

Abstract

Risk assessment and response is important for understanding human behavior. The divisive context surrounding the coronavirus pandemic inspires our exploration of risk perceptions and the polarization of mitigation practices (i.e., the degree to which the behaviors of people on the political “Left” diverge from those on the “Right”). Specifically, we investigate the extent to which the political polarization of willingness to comply with mitigation behaviors changes with risk perceptions.

Suggested Citation

  • Block, Ray & Burnham, Michael & Kahn, Kayla & Peng, Rachel & Seeman, Jeremy & Seto, Christopher, 2022. "Perceived risk, political polarization, and the willingness to follow COVID-19 mitigation guidelines," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:305:y:2022:i:c:s0277953622003975
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115091
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