Call them COVIDiots: Exploring the effects of aggressive communication style and psychological distance in the communication of COVID-19

Abstract

This study examined the influences of perceived distance to communicator on the effects of aggressive style (i.e. personal attacks and intense languages) in communicating scientific issues such as COVID-19 to the public. With a multi-site experiment ( N = 464), we found that aggression led to a heightened violation of expected social norm regarding communication styles. However, the interpretation of violation varied depending on the individual’s perceived distance to the communicator. Close distance articulated the urgency and severity of COVID-19 risks conveyed with aggression, which further increased compliance with the message. Far distance perception amplified aggression’s negative influence on writer likeability. The findings showed that aggressive communication may generate positive outcomes when dealing with public understanding of scientific issues such as COVID-19, but communicators need to build a closer connection with their audience.

The psychological and behavioural correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in Ireland and the UK

“…This is not representative of the gender split within the wider population, nor is it racially representative. Nevertheless, while the results are not representative of the general population, the reported vaccination intent (75%) is somewhat consistent with other reports of vaccination intent across the literature ( Sherman et al, 2021 ; Chu et al, 2021 ; Malik et al, 2020 ). Additionally, two of our measures (perceived susceptibility and peer influence) demonstrated poor internal consistency.…”

COVID-19 Remote Consultation Services and Population in Health Inequity-Concentrating Territories: A Scoping Review

“…In this sense, scientific communication walking pari passu with basic research is as important as closing country borders to contain the spread of the disease. 44 Furthermore, vulnerable groups and others deprived of basic needs, such as fresh water, and who are living and sleeping in the same rooms, or on the streets, have different problems and require special communication. They need to be treated in a specific way that preserves their rights and allows them to survive in the pandemic times.…”

“…In this sense, scientific communication walking pari passu with basic research is as important as closing country borders to contain the spread of the disease. 44 …”

Who Develops Pandemic Fatigue?

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