Risk perception, decision-making, and risk communication in the time of COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Public Health
• Risk Communication

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, declared in March 2020, significantly impacted global society and necessitated behavioral science research.
• Understanding public comprehension and response to this unprecedented health threat required new research approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather and publish experimental behavioral science research relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To investigate risk perception, decision-making under risk, and risk communication in the context of COVID-19.
• To inform and extend existing behavioral science theory using COVID-19 specific data.

Main Methods:

• Selection of studies conducted between April 2020 and March 2021.
• Focus on experimental research addressing the unique circumstances of the pandemic.
• Investigation across three core topics: risk perception, decision-making under risk, and risk communication.

Main Results:

• Studies advanced knowledge in risk calibration, demonstrating how individuals assess and adjust their perception of risks.
• Research provided insights into the effectiveness of various health communication interventions during a global health crisis.
• Analysis of decisions related to risk-taking behaviors in the context of a widespread health threat.

Conclusions:

• The collected research offers a practical contribution to managing future global health threats.
• Findings enhance our understanding of how individuals perceive, decide upon, and communicate risks during pandemics.
• The Special Issue provides valuable data for refining public health strategies and behavioral interventions.