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Gathering, processing, and interpreting information about COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Does cognitive motivation influence how people gather and interpret information about COVID-19 and their adherence to measures? To address these questions, we conducted a longitudinal survey among European and American respondents. Wave 1 (N = 501) was conducted on March 27, 2020 and Wave 2 (N = 326) on July 1, 2020. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge, endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories, media use, Need for Cognition (NC), Need for Cognitive Closure (NCC), and self-reported adherence to governmental measures taken. Results showed that nearly three-quarters of our respondents actively searched for information about COVID-19. Most at least once a day. Information seeking behaviour was not influenced by cognitive motivation (i.e., NC and NCC). However, cognitive motivation was related to (1) knowledge about COVID-19, (2) conspiracy rejection, and (3) change in knowledge over time. Respondents with more knowledge on COVID-19 also indicated to adhere more often to measures taken by their government. Self-reported adherence to measures was not influenced by cognitive motivation. Implications of these findings will be discussed.

SUBMITTER: Boot AB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7985139 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Gathering, processing, and interpreting information about COVID-19.

Boot Arnout B AB Eerland Anita A Jongerling Joran J Verkoeijen Peter P J L PPJL Zwaan Rolf A RA

Scientific reports 20210322 1

Does cognitive motivation influence how people gather and interpret information about COVID-19 and their adherence to measures? To address these questions, we conducted a longitudinal survey among European and American respondents. Wave 1 (N = 501) was conducted on March 27, 2020 and Wave 2 (N = 326) on July 1, 2020. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge, endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories, media use, Need for Cognition (NC), Need for Cognitive Closure (NCC), and self-reported adherence to gov ...[more]

PMID: 33753851

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Dataset Information

Gathering, processing, and interpreting information about COVID-19.

Publications

Gathering, processing, and interpreting information about COVID-19.

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