Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-31-2022
Keywords
Longevity bias, COVID-19, persuasion, vaccine hesitancy
Abstract
Among the reasons for Covid-19 mRNA vaccine hesitancy are the vaccines’ relative newness and, consequentially, concerns about their risks and safety. In this research, we address these reasons by manipulating the perceived longevity of the technology underlying mRNA Covid-19 vaccines (i.e., how long participants think these technologies have been in existence). An internet sample of American adults (N = 433) was shown one of the two versions of a timeline of medical events with ‘creation of mRNA vaccines’ placed to its left or right. The placement of mRNA vaccine creation on the left-end of the timeline resulted in Covid-19 mRNA vaccines being judged as older and - when participants' vaccination status was accounted for - better. Participants’ vaccine status did not moderate the impact of longevity on vaccine support. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Citation
Eidelman, S., Vance, E., Blanchar, J. C., Kallodaychask, K., Shimomoto, Y., & Yamasaki, K. (2022). Perceived longevity of mRNA technology increases support for Covid-19 vaccines. Social Influence, 17 (1), 51-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/15534510.2022.2116105
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Included in
Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Human Factors Psychology Commons, Social Psychology Commons
Comments
This article was published with support from the Open Access Publishing Fund administered through the University of Arkansas Libraries.