THE POWER OF SELF-DECEPTION: PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTION TO THE COVID-19 THREAT
Ładowanie...
Data
2021
Inny tytuł
Typ
Artykuł recenzyjny
Redaktor
dc.contributor.advisor
Dyscyplina PBN
Psychologia
Czasopismo lub seria
Acta Neuropsychologica
ISSN
1730-7503
2084-4298
2084-4298
ISBN
DOI
10.5604/01.3001.0015.0613
Strona internetowa
Wydawca
Wydawca
Wydanie
Numer
Strony od-do
Tytuł monografii
item.page.defence
Tytuł tomu
Opis
Rodzaj licencji
Abstrakt (en)
Poland’s inhabitants have often expressed disbelief and neg ative attitudes toward social isolation, combined with restless ness. This is due to a tendency to discount troubling informa tion while facing the unknown and counter-argue against informa tion that causes discomfort and fear. This tendency helps hu mans to maintain hope and well-being. The study aimed to determine if Polish citizens tend to downplay or even deny danger when faced with a death threat. The study comprised 58 adults – 46 females 12 males, aged 21 to 49. The participants were asked to answer 12 questions defining their beliefs and attitudes towards the COVID-19 pan demic threat and its consequences. The subjects gave answers on the 5-point Likert scale, from "definitely not" to "de finitely yes". The findings of the present study show that a considerable number of the participants tend to exhibit an optimistic bias. This is reflected in their direct statements and in the lack of congruence of their opinions. They do feel the threat of be coming ill but also seem to believe it need not affect them personally. They are also relatively optimistic about the out comes of the pandemic. At the same time, they realize that COVID-19 may lead to severe psychological, neurological, and mental disorders. The study confirmed a tendency to deny the threat that can pose a severe risk to health and psychological well-being. This is a manifestation of an optimism bias that has its roots in the way the human brain works. The participants did express concerns about the future but at the same time hoped that life after the pandemic would return to normal. It reflects a benev olent facet of self-deception since it makes it possible to cope with highly threatening and impossible to control events.