Risk Framing and Its Impact on Covid-19 Theories Authors: Jaelynn Walker1 and Keith A. Feigenson1 1. Albright College

Abstract Hypotheses Results ➢ The wide spread of conspiracy theories has increased dramatically Hypothesis 1: F(2, 416) = 0.713, p = .491 with the pandemic. It is important to study what causes individuals 1. Individuals who are presented with a positive framing (i.e. a 98.7% chance of to engage in conspiracy theories to understand ways they can be survival) will be less likely to endorse conspiracies versus those presented with Hypothesis 2: 2 prevented. Four hundred and seventy-three participants were a negative framing (1.3% chance of dying). Survey 1: F(1,240) = 71.449, p < .001, R = .230 2 randomly assigned to one of three conditions. They all answered Survey 2: F(1, 199) = 107.091, p < .001, R = .351 questionnaires surrounding Covid-19, conspiracy beliefs and 2. Individuals who endorse general conspiracy theories will be more likely to Hypothesis 3: F(2, 417) = 3.286, p < .05 personality traits. Results suggest that there are some differences engage in COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Other analyses: in political affiliation, education level and personality traits that can Political Affiliation and Covid-19 Behaviors: F (2,406) = 26.299, p < .05 gauge if an individual will endorse Covid-19 conspiracies and generic conspiracy theories 3. Individuals with lower educations levels will be more likely to engage or believe Political Affiliation and Covid-19 Beliefs: in conspiracy theories. Survey 1: F (2, 212) = 22.718, p < .05 Survey 2: F (2, 193) = 7.123, p < .05

Introduction Descriptive Statistics and Correlation for Study Variable Goals: Methods Variable N M SD 1 2 3 4 5 6 ➢ Examine the relationship between the way information is presented Participants: 1. Age 403 28.98 11.699 - -0.234** -0.0074 -0.134** 0.157** -0.237** and how it impacts individuals’ beliefs of conspiracy theories as ➢ 417 participants from the Albright College community and Prolific well as how personality traits impact their beliefs. 2. -50 conservative 405 16.84 27.955 -0.234** - -0.210** 0.058 -0.014 0.179** ➢ Ages ranged from 18-85 +50 progressive 3. GCB 407 41.16 12.548 -0.074 -0.210** - 0.254** 0.026 0.111* Rationale: ➢ 25 participants were excluded if they did not answer 90% of the survey and if they got ➢ This study is important because it investigates the difference in more than 1 control question wrong 4. Locus of 407 3.82 15.235 -0.134** 0.058 0.254** --- 0.002 0.186** conspiracy beliefs based off the way the information is presented ➢ Survey 1 Control Descriptive Statistics for Political Affiliation by Condition 5.Rosenberg Self- 407 25.22 6.705 .157** -0.014 0.026 -0.002 - -0.315** and the individual differences in personality traits. The reason that ➢ 241 participants Esteem conspiracy theories and misinformation are so popular is due to ➢ Survey 2 Condition M SD N 6. Beck 407 26.24 17.542 -.237** 0.179** 0.111* 0.186* -0.315** - Inventory human nature needing an explanation for everything, especially ➢ 201 participants Democrat control 61.25 7.841 71 significant events.3 Risk framing is a tool that researchers use to positive 62.35 8.448 77 present effects of situation from seemingly different statistical 4 Covid-19 Questionnaires: negative 61.57 9.299 80 perspectives.4 People presented with positively framed scenarios ➢ 10 awareness questions Total 61.74 8.553 228 tend to avoid risk, while those presented with negative scenarios ➢ 20 conspiracy questions Republican control 52.77 8.349 26 tend to embrace it. This study can help to understand why certain ➢ Survey 1 had participants Discussion groups of individual (i.e. political parties) have different beliefs as answer “yes” or “no” positive 51.65 8.717 17 ➢ Our hypothesis that those presented with the positive risk will be less likely information is presented differently by the media. Another factor ➢ Survey 2 had a likert type negative 53.43 7.543 23 to endorse conspiracy theories than negative risk was not supported. that is noted to have an effect on conspiracy beliefs is education scale ranging from “very Total 52.71 8.078 66 There was no difference between the different conditions. level. The more education that an individual receives the less likely unlikely” to “very likely” Independent control 56.45 11.137 38 1 ➢ 16 Covid-19 behavior questions positive 60.34 10.856 44 that they will be to engage in conspiracy beliefs. Therefore, this ➢ Our second hypothesis that those who endorse general conspiracy Questionnaires: negative 57.71 8.926 31 study can help to understand why individuals of different theories are more likely to engage in Covid-19 conspiracy theories was ➢ Generic Conspiracy Theory Beliefs Total 58.31 10.510 113 educational levels have a difference in their beliefs of conspiracy supported. theories. By identifying the different factors that lead to the ➢ Locus of Control Total control 58.27 9.534 135 positive 60.39 9.854 138 increase in spreading of conspiracy theories, targeting those Personality Questionnaires: ➢ There was a significant difference between the education levels and negative 59.28 9.402 134 aspects can help to reduce the pandemic of misinformation and ➢ Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale conspiracy beliefs. The more education and individual had, the less they Total 59.32 9.617 407 help to advise messages that go regarding public health ➢ Beck Depression Inventory engaged in conspiracies. information. ➢ There was a significant difference between political affiliation and Covid-19 behaviors. Democrats and Independents engage in less risky behavior while their Republican counterparts engage in riskier behavior. References Risk Framing Prompts 1Douglas, K. M., Sutton, R. M., Callan, M. J., Dawtry, R. J. & Harvey, A. J. (2016). Someone is pulling the strings: Condition Prompt Hypersensitive agency detection and in conspiracy theories. Thinking and Reasoning, 22, 57- 77. Positive Answer the questions of this survey relating to Covid-19 as honestly and as accurately as 2Tenforde, M. W., Kim, S. S., Lindsell, C. J., Rose, E. B., Shapiro, N. I., Files, D. C., ... & Gong, M. N. (2020). possible. The most recent information on Covid-19 suggests that an individual has a 98.7% Symptom duration and risk factors for delayed return to usual health among outpatients with COVID-19 in a multistate health care systems network—, March–June 2020. Morbidity and Mortality chance of survival if they have tested positive for Covid-19, and if they survive they have a 65% Future Directions Weekly Report, 69(30), 993. chance that they will not develop adverse health issues.2 3van Prooijen, J., Douglas, K. M., & De Inocencio, C. (2018). Connecting the dots: Illusory pattern perception ➢ Examine where the participants get their news information predicts belief in conspiracies and the supernatural. European Journal of , 48(3), 320–335. Negative Answer the questions of this survey relating to Covid-19 as honestly and as accurately as ➢ Recruit an equal number of political party members 4Van ’t Riet, J., Cox, A. D., Cox, D., Zimet, G. D., De Bruijn, G.-J., Van den Putte, B., De Vries, H., Werrij, possible. The most recent information on Covid-19 suggests that an individual has a 1.3% chance ➢ Use the information found in this study to advise public health information M. Q., & Ruiter, R. A. C. (2016). Does perceived risk influence the effects of message framing? Revisiting the link between prospect theory and message framing. Review, 10(4), of dying if they have tested positive for Covid-19, and if they survive they have a 35% change of 447–459. developing adverse health issues.2 PRIMARY AUTHORS CONTACT INFORMATION Control Answer the questions of this survey relating to Covid-19 as honestly and as accurately as Funding Keith Feigenson: [email protected] possible. Albright College Research Experience (ACRE) Jaelynn Walker: [email protected]