On pathogens and partisanship: social conservatism is positively associated with COVID-19 precautions among US Democrats, not Republicans

Publication date: June 29, 2021

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253326

Commentary

Previous research and other studies have shown that social liberals tend to be less pathogen-avoidant than social conservatives. This is consistent with a model in which ideological differences result from differences in threat reactivity.

In this study, we investigated whether and how responses to shared threats reflect patterns of ideological differences.

Seemingly inconsistent with the link between social conservatism and pathogen avoidance, socially conservative parties in the United States allegedly downplayed the dangers of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Examining the relationship between social conservatism and COVID-19 precautionary behavior in light of the U.S. partisan landscape, attitudes toward information sources and discriminatory assessments of the various threats posed by the pandemic show differences in response to the pandemic.

Two preregistered studies concluded that socially conservative attitudes were correlated with self-reported COVID-19 prevention behaviors, but only among Democrats. Reflecting the social divide between Republicans and Independents, and the lack of a positive relationship between social conservatism and COVID-19 preventive measures, it appears that distrust of scientists, distrust of liberal and moderate sources of information, and a decline in liberal news media is being driven by an expanding economy.