Photo: NZ HeraldPsychology researchers have delved into what makes some New Zealanders more reluctant about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine - finding a link to right-wing beliefs, but only when in tandem with conspiratorial thinking. Diving deeper, they explored how a distrust of science could enhance the link between people's political beliefs and their support of conspiracies. The researchers pointed out that conspiracy theories weren't a right-wing issue alone, and manifested at both ends of the political spectrum. However, studies specifically related to Covid-19 had generally found conservative or right-wing people were more likely to be reluctant over public health recommendations - because of belief in conspiracy theories. "Certainly what our results suggest, is that a focus on building the public's trust in science may increase vaccine uptake while reducing endorsement of conspiracy beliefs."

Source: Otago Daily Times August 08, 2021 05:15 UTC