Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United States
We review research we conducted from the first through the 3rd year of the COVID pandemic that identified conspiracy mindset as an important source of vaccination resistance in the United States (US). We show that the mindset was highly related to the acceptance of misinformation about the safety an...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Communication |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1490292/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850191899994882048 |
|---|---|
| author | Daniel Romer Kathleen H. Jamieson |
| author_facet | Daniel Romer Kathleen H. Jamieson |
| author_sort | Daniel Romer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We review research we conducted from the first through the 3rd year of the COVID pandemic that identified conspiracy mindset as an important source of vaccination resistance in the United States (US). We show that the mindset was highly related to the acceptance of misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccination, including the vaccines against COVID-19. We show that its effects were overcome to some extent in racial-ethnic and political groups that were likely to have received supportive information from sources trusted within their group. At the same time, some of our evidence suggests that media sources that promoted conspiracy theories about vaccination and the pandemic likely intensified conspiracy mindsets and with it, vaccination resistance. Our findings suggest that efforts countering misinformation cannot rely on simply correcting falsehoods but should also involve engaging trusted leaders who can reassure the conspiracy minded that the recommended action is safe and effective. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bf20fed66f3741a1b11e1d6d18b902e0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2297-900X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Communication |
| spelling | doaj-art-bf20fed66f3741a1b11e1d6d18b902e02025-08-20T02:14:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Communication2297-900X2025-02-011010.3389/fcomm.2025.14902921490292Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United StatesDaniel RomerKathleen H. JamiesonWe review research we conducted from the first through the 3rd year of the COVID pandemic that identified conspiracy mindset as an important source of vaccination resistance in the United States (US). We show that the mindset was highly related to the acceptance of misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccination, including the vaccines against COVID-19. We show that its effects were overcome to some extent in racial-ethnic and political groups that were likely to have received supportive information from sources trusted within their group. At the same time, some of our evidence suggests that media sources that promoted conspiracy theories about vaccination and the pandemic likely intensified conspiracy mindsets and with it, vaccination resistance. Our findings suggest that efforts countering misinformation cannot rely on simply correcting falsehoods but should also involve engaging trusted leaders who can reassure the conspiracy minded that the recommended action is safe and effective.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1490292/fullCOVID vaccinationCOVID pandemicmisinformationconspiracy mindsetconspiracy beliefsmedia use |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Romer Kathleen H. Jamieson Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United States Frontiers in Communication COVID vaccination COVID pandemic misinformation conspiracy mindset conspiracy beliefs media use |
| title | Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United States |
| title_full | Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United States |
| title_fullStr | Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United States |
| title_short | Lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the COVID pandemic of 2019 in the United States |
| title_sort | lessons learned about conspiracy mindset and belief in vaccination misinformation during the covid pandemic of 2019 in the united states |
| topic | COVID vaccination COVID pandemic misinformation conspiracy mindset conspiracy beliefs media use |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1490292/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT danielromer lessonslearnedaboutconspiracymindsetandbeliefinvaccinationmisinformationduringthecovidpandemicof2019intheunitedstates AT kathleenhjamieson lessonslearnedaboutconspiracymindsetandbeliefinvaccinationmisinformationduringthecovidpandemicof2019intheunitedstates |