LE3 .A278 2021

2021

Hayes, Joseph

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Psychology

Psychology

The paper aimed to explore the relationship between COVID-19 worries (death of others vs. personal freedoms) and support for COVID-19 mitigation efforts amongst Democrats and Republicans. A total of 363 participants were included with a mean age of 40.65, 51.5% males/46.6% females, 79.1% White, 11.6% Black, and a median political orientation of 4.01(neutral). The study consisted of demographics, personality characteristics, and a between-subjects thought manipulation that prompted participants to worry about other people dying or about their personal freedoms. Following were questionnaires concerning worries/feelings about COVID-19 and participants rated their intentions to follow COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Previous research was replicated displaying that conservatives are more interested in personal freedoms and liberals more concerned with others dying. Once personality factors were added, a more complex story unfolded. Factors such as Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) account for why Republicans are less likely to follow mitigation protocols than liberals. Other factors such as Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and Intellectual Humility (IH) displayed inverse effects to what was expected, showing that Republicans cared more about other people dying, compared to liberals. Methodological limitations and avenues for future research are discussed. Further, future research should use a control condition to allow for better assessment of the effects of political orientation and cognitive interventions.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3611