Effects of Go Viral! psychological inoculation on conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines in a Peruvian university sample

Chulluncuy E.T.H.; Rodriguez F.S.M.; Yepez A.J.A. · Revista Argentina de Ciencias del Comportamiento (2024) · DOI: 10.32348/1852.4206.v16.n1.44596

Resumen

Conspiracy theories can affect health by undermining public health policies. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of Go Viral! on vaccine conspiracy beliefs for COVID-19. Fifty-two college students participated, male (42.3%) and female (57.7%). With a quasi-experimental design (control and experimental group), Go Viral! was applied to the experimental group and the control group was exposed to a different stimulus. The results showed that conspiratorial beliefs were initially observed in both groups (23% - 42%) and after the administration of Go Viral! decreased in the experimental group (4% - 15%), p < .001. On the other hand, the control group (27% and 38%) showed no changes, p =.819. In addition, the post-test showed significant effects and differences with p < 0.001 in both groups. Finally, the limitations and implications for the design of public policies to reduce misinformation are discussed.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco