Literaturdatenbank
Following the crowd in times of crisis: Descriptive norms predict physical distancing, stockpiling, and prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic
Beschreibung
Individuals engage in a variety of behavioral responses to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, from complying with or transgressing against physical distancing regulations, to stockpiling or prosocial behavior. We predicted that particularly descriptive social norms are important in driving pandemicrelated behavior as they offer guidelines in times of insecurity and crisis. To investigate this assumption, we conducted a longitudinal survey with two measurement points (n = 1,907) in Germany during the spring of 2020. Results show that descriptive norms (perceived behavior of close others) positively predicted future transgression against distancing regulations, stockpiling, and prosocial behavior over time. In our analysis, we account for previous behavior as well as other potential predictors (subjective threat, personality). In sum, our findings highlight the power of descriptive norms in increasing compliance with pandemic-related regulations and promoting future prosocial behavior.
Erschienen
2021
Themen
Krisenbewältigung
Krisenkommunikation
Pandemiebezogene Maßnahmen
Krisenkommunikation
Pandemiebezogene Maßnahmen
Autor*innen
Rudert, Selma C.
Janke, Stefan
Janke, Stefan
Zeitschrift
Group Processes & Intergroup Relations