By realizing that collective actions to fight Covid-19 are also there to save our loved ones, we become much more inclined to follow the rules in a spirit of solidarity and security.
-1611236766.jpg "Confinement, barrier gestures, vaccination: thinking about others makes it easier to accept the rules")
- The influence of loved ones helps us to improve our own behavior in the face of Covid-19.
- Faced with a cause that is beyond us, we are ready to apply rules to protect the people we care about.
To get out of the Covid-19 crisis, the best solution remains solidarity. According to the study by researchers from the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom), the results of which were published in the British Journal of Psychology January 20, 2021social influence would have a significant impact on the adherence of some people to the guidelines put in place to combat Covid-19.
For this, the researchers analyzed the information of 6,674 people in 114 countries recruited on the internet in order to their degree of adherence to the measures put in place to fight against Covid-19. Through a questionnaire, it was possible for them to understand how the entourage can play a role in adherence to a collective process.
A fight we fight for others
According to the results, participants were more likely to engage in more preventative measures when they have higher social responsibility and trust or when they view adherence to rules as a norm endorsed by others. . Thus, to achieve behavior change in times of crisis, policy makers must emphasize shared values and harness the social influence of close friends and family. With this in mind, a person will be more likely to follow through on a behavior when they know that it not only engages them, but also the people they care about.
“We have seen that people do not just follow the rules if they feel vulnerable or if they are personally convinced. On the contrary, this uncertain and threatening environment has highlighted the crucial role of social influencesays Bahar Tunçgenç, doctor from the University of Nottingham and lead author of the study. The most diligent people in following the guidelines were those whose friends and family also followed the rules. We also found that people particularly attached to their country were more likely to respect the rules of confinement; the country was like a family, someone for whom we were ready to take risks.”
For Bahar Tunçgenç, following the guidelines to fight Covid-19 could include the use of social applications, similar to social-based exercise applications, which would, for example, tell people if their close friends are registered for the vaccination. Thus, the use of social networks to show those around you that you respect the rules can be an effective approach. Additionally, public prevention messages embodied by trusted media personalities can also emphasize collective values, such as working for the benefit of loved ones or the community.
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