Science denial and medical misinformation in pandemic times: A psycho-criminological analysis

This study integrates criminological social learning and psychological explanations of individual factors and mechanisms for science denial to offer an individual-level analysis of ?alternative lifestyle? subcultural groups in cyberspace in order to understand the assimilation, success and prolifera...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Lavorgna, Anita (Author)
Contributors: Myles, Heather
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2022
In: European journal of criminology
Year: 2022, Volume: 19, Issue: 6, Pages: 1574-1594
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
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Keywords:
Covid-19
Social Learning
medical misinformation
online ethnography
science denial
Social Media
Description
Summary:This study integrates criminological social learning and psychological explanations of individual factors and mechanisms for science denial to offer an individual-level analysis of ?alternative lifestyle? subcultural groups in cyberspace in order to understand the assimilation, success and proliferation of potentially dangerous health-related misinformation. Through a rigorous passive online ethnography of two relevant self-identifying ?alternative lifestyle? Italian- and English-speaking online communities observed over the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed the unfolding of online narratives and behavioural intentions of criminological and psychological interest. We identified in our data both individual factors and mechanisms for science denial and clues to social learning, and we showed how they interrelate. Furthermore, by looking at the linguistic and visual resources used to shape how participants think through social learning mechanisms, we identified four main narrative frames: informative; oppositional; empathetic; and agency and spirituality. The findings of this study provide a more comprehensive understanding of the reasons for and mechanisms behind medical misinformation online and suggest ways to mitigate the related harms.
ISSN:1741-2609
DOI:10.1177/1477370820988832