Vaccine Refusal: A Preliminary Interdisciplinary Investigation.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Public Health
• Social Science

Background:

• Many individuals, despite accepting routine vaccinations, refuse COVID-19 vaccines.
• This phenomenon poses a significant public health challenge during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the psychological drivers behind vaccine refusal in US and UK citizens.
• To compare vaccine refusal with addiction and akrasia, exploring concepts of agency and identity.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis comparing vaccine refusal with addiction and akrasia.
• Exploration of psychological factors such as informational reinforcement, self-esteem, and social identity.

Main Results:

• Vaccine refusal appears to be reinforced by psychological rewards, including heightened arousal and increased self-esteem.
• These rewards stem from asserting perceived superior understanding, "bucking the trend," and reinforcing "tribal identity."
• These internal rewards can outweigh the recognized risks of COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions:

• Psychological and social reinforcement mechanisms play a critical role in vaccine refusal.
• Understanding these drivers is crucial for developing effective public health strategies.
• Further research may identify distinct subtypes of vaccine refusers based on epistemological factors.