Matthew Browne
Epistemic divides and ontological confusions: The psychology of vaccine scepticism
Central Queensland University
vaccine scepticism increasingly important barrier optimal coverage developed countries commentary make case negative attitudes towards vaccines reflect broader deeper set beliefs health wellbeing suggest alternative worldview influenced ontological confusions eg regarding purity natural energy knowledge based personal lived experience trusted peers rather positivist epistemological framework view supported recent socialpsychological research including strong correlations vaccine scepticism adherence complementary alternative medicine magical health beliefs conspiracy ideation certain welleducated wellresourced individuals opposition vaccines represents expression personal intuition agency achieving positive lifeaffirming approach health wellbeing core beliefs amenable change especially resistant communications orthodox authoritative sources although view suggest tactical improvements messaging suggest better longterm strategy combine disciplines order address root causes vaccine scepticism vaccine scepticism unlikely thrive cultural context trusts values scientific consensus