A new study has revealed that personal traits or feelings of fear are not crucial in facing the COVID-19 pandemic; rather, it is an individual's perspective on the behavior of others, such as wearing masks or receiving vaccinations. Researchers from the University of Koblenz-Landau and the University of Mannheim in Germany found that social norms have the greatest influence on whether individuals adhere to guidelines.
Salma Rodert from the University of Koblenz-Landau and her colleague Stefan Janke from the University of Mannheim wrote in the study: "The deciding factor is how I view the behavior of those close to me, rather than my personality or self-threat."
The study focused on individual behavior immediately following the first lockdown that occurred in the spring of 2020. The researchers clarified that they specifically examined whether people adhered to social distancing guidelines and avoided direct physical contact, as well as whether they supported others during the crisis.
According to the researchers' data, the results did not provide a direct picture of the current vaccination campaign and vaccine hesitancy, as it was conducted during the first lockdown. Janke stated: "However, we believe that the study's results can also be applied to these situations."
The study was published in the American journal "Group Processes and Intergroup Relations," which specializes in psychology.
