The Effects of Agency Assignment and Reference Point on Responses to COVID-19 Messages
Haijing Ma, Claude H. Miller
Abstract
= 207) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions crossing agency assignment (SARS-CoV-2/human) and reference point (self/self-other). Results show, relative to human agency, SARS-CoV-2 agency assignment generated significantly more psychological reactance in the form of greater perceptions of freedom threat, anger, and negative cognitions, as well as more source derogation and counterarguing. No significant effects were found for reference point, and the interaction between agency assignment and reference point was not significant. The study findings, limitations, and implications are discussed.
Topics & Concepts
DerogationAgency (philosophy)ReactanceSocial psychologyAngerPsychologyPerceptionSense of agencyEngineeringSociologyNeuroscienceElectrical engineeringVoltageSocial sciencePsychology of Moral and Emotional JudgmentSocial and Intergroup PsychologyDeath Anxiety and Social Exclusion