The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to analyze the direct and indirect impact of beliefs in conspiracy theories on COVID-19-related preventive actions and vaccination intentions. The dominant theory in the literature is that beliefs in conspiracy theories have negative consequences. In particular, strong beliefs in con...

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Autores principales:	Jaesun Wang, Seoyong Kim
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	MDPI AG 2021
Materias:	conspiracy theories belief in conspiracy theories COVID-19 pandemic trust preventive action vaccination Medicine R
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/384dc8ed885b4ccba4ec64d70afbb99b
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:384dc8ed885b4ccba4ec64d70afbb99b2021-11-25T17:48:47ZThe Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic10.3390/ijerph1822118251660-46011661-7827https://doaj.org/article/384dc8ed885b4ccba4ec64d70afbb99b2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/22/11825https://doaj.org/toc/1661-7827https://doaj.org/toc/1660-4601This study aims to analyze the direct and indirect impact of beliefs in conspiracy theories on COVID-19-related preventive actions and vaccination intentions. The dominant theory in the literature is that beliefs in conspiracy theories have negative consequences. In particular, strong beliefs in conspiracy theories lower people’s intentions to engage in preventive actions and get vaccinated. Previous studies indicated that this dominant theory applies in Korea as well. However, we find that this dominant theory does not apply in Korea. Based on an analysis of survey data, we find that beliefs in conspiracy theories have positive impact on preventive actions and vaccination intentions. In addition, beliefs in conspiracy theories play indirect roles in these two responses to COVID-19. Specifically, when perceived benefits and trust in the government or science enhance preventive actions or increase vaccination intentions, strong beliefs in conspiracy theories promote this effect. This positive role of conspiracy theories is paradoxical because they are generally viewed as negative.Jaesun WangSeoyong KimMDPI AGarticleconspiracy theoriesbelief in conspiracy theoriesCOVID-19 pandemictrustpreventive actionvaccinationMedicineRENInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 18, Iss 11825, p 11825 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	conspiracy theories belief in conspiracy theories COVID-19 pandemic trust preventive action vaccination Medicine R
spellingShingle	conspiracy theories belief in conspiracy theories COVID-19 pandemic trust preventive action vaccination Medicine R Jaesun Wang Seoyong Kim The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
description	This study aims to analyze the direct and indirect impact of beliefs in conspiracy theories on COVID-19-related preventive actions and vaccination intentions. The dominant theory in the literature is that beliefs in conspiracy theories have negative consequences. In particular, strong beliefs in conspiracy theories lower people’s intentions to engage in preventive actions and get vaccinated. Previous studies indicated that this dominant theory applies in Korea as well. However, we find that this dominant theory does not apply in Korea. Based on an analysis of survey data, we find that beliefs in conspiracy theories have positive impact on preventive actions and vaccination intentions. In addition, beliefs in conspiracy theories play indirect roles in these two responses to COVID-19. Specifically, when perceived benefits and trust in the government or science enhance preventive actions or increase vaccination intentions, strong beliefs in conspiracy theories promote this effect. This positive role of conspiracy theories is paradoxical because they are generally viewed as negative.
format	article
author	Jaesun Wang Seoyong Kim
author_facet	Jaesun Wang Seoyong Kim
author_sort	Jaesun Wang
title	The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
title_short	The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
title_full	The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
title_fullStr	The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
title_full_unstemmed	The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
title_sort	paradox of conspiracy theory: the positive impact of beliefs in conspiracy theories on preventive actions and vaccination intentions during the covid-19 pandemic
publisher	MDPI AG
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/384dc8ed885b4ccba4ec64d70afbb99b
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The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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