Journal Collection Examines Psychological Science in Pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in public health communication around the world that fueled the spread of false information, political polarization, interpersonal conflict, and confusing policies.  

In a special collection published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, researchers discuss how psychological science can help policymakers and the public understand and address the spread of infectious disease while preserving constructive social interactions and learning. Guest editors for the collection are APS Fellows Dolores Albarracín of the University of Pennsylvania and Norbert Schwarz of the University of Southern California, both of whom study the factors influencing beliefs and attitudes.  

The issue includes articles that analyze key policy questions, review the relevant psychological literature, critique actual policies implemented during the pandemic, and propose research and policy questions that psychologists might address in the future.  

“We are hopeful that the wide range of novel psychological research stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic will advance our future understanding of human behavior in the context of severe health threats and contribute to better preparation for future pandemics,” Albarracín and Schwarz wrote in the introduction to the collection.  

The articles included in the collection are listed below. 

Health Communication and Behavioral Change During the COVID-19 Pandemic  
Dolores Albarracín, Daphna Oyserman, and Norbert Schwarz 
 
The Costs of Polarizing a Pandemic: Antecedents, Consequences, and Lessons 
Jay J. Van Bavel, Clara Pretus, Steve Rathje, Philip Pärnamets, Madalina Vlasceanu, and Eric D. Knowles 
 
Cooperation in the Time of COVID  
Jade Butterworth, David Smerdon, Roy Baumeister, and William von Hippel 
 
Managing Fear During Pandemics: Risks and Opportunities 
Gaëtan Mertens, Iris M. Engelhard, Derek M. Novacek, and Richard J. McNally 
 
Do COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Backfire? The Effects of Mandates, Vaccination Passports, and Financial Incentives on COVID-19 Vaccination 
Bita Fayaz-Farkhad and Haesung Jung 
 
Hits and Misses: Digital Contact Tracing in a Pandemic 
Maryanne Garry, Rachel Zajac, Lorraine Hope, Marcel Salathé, Linda Levine, and Thomas A. Merritt 
 
The Impact of School Closures on Learning and Mental Health of Children: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic 
Deni Mazrekaj and Kristof De Witte 
 
How Do Pandemic Policies and Communication Shape Intergroup Outcomes? Initial Findings From the COVID-19 Pandemic and Open Questions for Research and Policy 
Chadly Stern and Benjamin C. Ruisch 

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