Maja Graso|Amanda Henwood|Karl Aquino|Paul Dolan|Fan Xuan Chen
The dark side of belief in Covid-19 scientists and scientific evidence
University of Otago|London School of Economics and Political Science|University of British Columbia|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|University of Otago|London School of Economics and Political Science|University of British Columbia|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|University of Otago|London School of Economics and Political Science|University of British Columbia|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|University of Otago|London School of Economics and Political Science|University of British Columbia|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|University of Otago|London School of Economics and Political Science|University of British Columbia|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
draw interdisciplinary literature convictions examine manifestations consequences firmly held beliefs covid19 c19 science across three studies n 743 assess participants beliefs c19 experts beliefs supported unsupported empirical evidence study 1 establishes basic theoretical links show individuals belief science c19 associated dispositional belief science moralization c19 mitigation measures subsequent two studies show stronger belief c19 science influences distrust unmasked individuals past mandates greater endorsement pandemic mitigation authoritarianism document dark side emerges belief c19 science extends beyond generally desirable scientific literacy manifests conviction public health experts ones handle pandemic even unsupported claims c19 supported scientific evidence eg risk outdoor transmission high also highlight political ideology findings showing liberals conservatives miscalibrate c19 risks different ways conclude discussing examining darker side scientific beliefs inform understanding peoples reactions pandemic