People who are most suspicious of vaccines also tend to fall for conspiracy theories, according to a large survey in 24 countries.
The anti-vaccine movement around the world is puzzling public health professionals. Faced with the failure of information campaigns which attempt to reverse a trend that is now well established, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon world and in France, psychologists and sociologists are trying to understand the underlying reasons for this a priori not very rational attitude, and which can be dangerous.
In a recent study in Health Psychology, researchers in health psychology at the University of Queensland in Australia, have studied the determinants of this mistrust. To do this, they conducted an international survey of unprecedented scale: 5,000 people were asked about their opinions on childhood immunization in 24 countries. Among them, many Western countries, including France, but also India, China and South Africa.
No influence of education level
Among the four criteria assessed on the basis of previous studies, one clearly stands out: conspiracy. Four popular theories had been retained to assess the propensity of people to take bladders for lanterns: the assassination of Kennedy, the death of Princess Diana, the existence of a New World Order (Bilderberg, Illuminati …) and the attacks of September 11.
In the end, the appetite for conspiracy explained 10% of the variance in opinions on vaccination, in the four-variable model adopted by the researchers. This trend was particularly marked in the Anglo-Saxon world (United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada) and in Germany. Notably, the level of education did not seem to play a particular role.
Among the other predictors evaluated by the researchers, reactance came second. This is a psychological trait close to the spirit of contradiction, which consists of rejecting the choices or opinions emanating from others. Then came the rejection of needles and blood and, far behind, adherence to a worldview based on the primacy of the individual.
Communication is a combat sport
“For many followers of conspiracy theories, the profits [par les groupes pharmaceutiques] are the sign of the failure of the system, and proof that the truth is withheld for the benefit of private interests, “said Matthew Hornsey, lead author of the study, in a press release.
The researchers thus advocate adopting a less frontal communication, which takes into account the underlying motivations of the people. An approach they nickname jiu jitsu, in reference to this Japanese martial art which strives to turn the strength of the opponent to its advantage.
“Trying to curb conspiratorial beliefs is notoriously difficult,” says Matthew Hornsey. to minimize the benefits of vaccination and exaggerate the dangers. “
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