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Correcting COVID-19 Risk Misperceptions via Information Provision

Author

Listed:
  • Asako Chiba

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Kazuya Haganuma

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Taisuke Nakata

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Thuy Linh Nguyen

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Reo Takaku

    (Hitotsubashi University)

Abstract

We conducted an information provision experiment in April 2023 in Japan to investigate how different types of information affect people’s subjective assessment of COVID-19 related risks. The majority of respondents overestimate infection and fatality risks. Recent infection-related statistics lower risk perceptions if presented in percentage, but do not lower them if presented in levels. Providing pessimistic outlooks raises risk perceptions. We also find substantial heterogeneity in the response to information provision across various individual characteristics, such as age, gender, education, marital status, health status, COVID-19-related experiences, and vaccination status.

Suggested Citation

  • Asako Chiba & Kazuya Haganuma & Taisuke Nakata & Thuy Linh Nguyen & Reo Takaku, 2026. "Correcting COVID-19 Risk Misperceptions via Information Provision," CARF F-Series CARF-F-616, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
    • Handle: RePEc:cfi:fseres:cf616
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Asako Chiba & Taisuke Nakata & Thuy Linh Nguyen & Reo Takaku, 2024. "COVID-19 Risk Perceptions in Japan: A Cross Sectional Study," CARF F-Series CARF-F-583, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
    2. Maddy L. Dyer & Hannah M. Sallis & Jasmine N. Khouja & Sarah Dryhurst & Marcus R. Munafò, 2022. "Associations between COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health, wellbeing, and risk behaviours," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(11-12), pages 1372-1394, December.
    3. Jesper Akesson & Sam Ashworth-Hayes & Robert Hahn & Robert Metcalfe & Itzhak Rasooly, 2022. "Fatalism, beliefs, and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 147-190, April.
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    5. Masayuki SATO & Shin KINOSHITA & Takanori IDA, 2022. "Subjective Risk Valuation and Behavioral Change : Evidence from COVID-19 in the U.K. and Japan," Discussion papers e-22-011, Graduate School of Economics , Kyoto University.
    6. Nadia Linciano & Caterina Lucarelli & Monica Gentile & Paola Soccorso, 2018. "How financial information disclosure affects risk perception. Evidence from Italian investors’ behaviour," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(15), pages 1311-1332, October.
    7. Abel, Martin & Byker, Tanya & Carpenter, Jeffrey, 2021. "Socially optimal mistakes? debiasing COVID-19 mortality risk perceptions and prosocial behavior," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 456-480.
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