Collectivism Predicts Mask Use During COVID-19
What explains the striking regional differences in the severity of COVID-19 around the world? Identify the role of culture in the use of masks, an essential precaution to mitigate a pandemic. Utilizing a dataset of all 3,141 counties in the 50 United States, a dataset of 16,737 people in the 50 United States, a dataset of 367,109 people in 29 countries, and a dataset of 277,219 Facebook users in 67 countries, we find that more collectivist (as opposed to individualist) regions are are more likely to wear them. Our research shows that culture fundamentally shapes people's responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2021793118
Commentary
This study was to investigate the association between mask wearing and collectivism, but the results are explained as having several limitations. First, the study relied on self-reported mask use, rather than direct observation of mask use. It may be more accurate to investigate these facts by surveying image data from around the city. Secondly, the link between collectivism and mask use was shown in the context of COVID-19, and that crisis situations that occur in the future, (e.g. wildfires, hurricanes, etc.) these could explore the role of collectivism. Finally, that it is worth exploring whether and how pandemics can shape culture over time. Since pandemics have caused groups to distance themselves, they may amplify the sense of collectivism more if they also provide an opportunity to experience social distance and isolation and increase the sense of individual independence and self-reliance.
The conclusions from these provided evidence of active collectivism. This predicted the use of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of collectivism in the face of a global crisis.
