Political leaders’ views on COVID-19 risk are highly infectious in a polarized nation – we see the same with climate change

Research and a recent campaign rally show how political leaders' rhetoric can shape risk perceptions among their loyal followers.

Wanyun Shao, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Alabama • conversation
Oct. 13, 2020 • ~7 min

 climate-change  covid-19  coronavirus  social-science  pandemic  donald-trump  social-distancing  communication  denial  face-mask  political-leadership  conservative

Political leaders' attitudes toward COVID-19 risk are highly infectious in a polarized nation – just like climate change denial

Research and a recent campaign rally show how political leaders' rhetoric can shape risk perceptions among their loyal followers.

Wanyun Shao, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Alabama • conversation
Oct. 13, 2020 • ~7 min

 climate-change  covid-19  coronavirus  social-science  pandemic  donald-trump  social-distancing  communication  denial  face-mask  political-leadership  conservative

5 COVID-19 myths politicians have repeated that just aren't true

The purveyors of these myths, including politicians who have been soft peddling the impact of the coronavirus, aren't doing the country any favors.

Geoffrey Joyce, Director of Health Policy, USC Schaeffer Center, and Associate Professor, University of Southern California • conversation
July 8, 2020 • ~8 min

 health  covid-19  coronavirus  brazil  donald-trump  herd-immunity  economy  misinformation  jair-bolsonaro  cdc  myths  denial

Coronavirus responses highlight how humans are hardwired to dismiss facts that don't fit their worldview

Whether in situations relating to scientific consensus, economic history or current political events, denialism has its roots in what psychologists call 'motivated reasoning.'

Adrian Bardon, Professor of Philosophy, Wake Forest University • conversation
June 25, 2020 • ~9 min
coronavirus psychology cognition anthony-fauci evidence-based anti-vaxxers truth denial confirmation-bias anti-science science-denial identity-politics ideology facts partisan-bias denialism motivated-reasoning

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