Skip to content Skip to navigation
University of Warwick
  • Study
  • |
  • Research
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Alumni
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • About

University of Warwick
Publications service & WRAP

Highlight your research

  • WRAP
    • Home
    • Search WRAP
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse WRAP by Year
    • Browse WRAP by Subject
    • Browse WRAP by Department
    • Browse WRAP by Funder
    • Browse Theses by Department
  • Publications Service
    • Home
    • Search Publications Service
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse Publications service by Year
    • Browse Publications service by Subject
    • Browse Publications service by Department
    • Browse Publications service by Funder
  • Help & Advice
University of Warwick

The Library

  • Login
  • Admin

Risk compensation during COVID-19 : the impact of face mask usage on social distancing

Tools
- Tools
+ Tools

Luckman, Ashley, Zeitoun, Hossam, Isoni, Andrea, Loomes, Graham, Vlaev, Ivo, Powdthavee, Nattavudh and Read, Daniel (2021) Risk compensation during COVID-19 : the impact of face mask usage on social distancing. Journal of Experimental Psychology : Applied, 27 (4). pp. 722-738. doi:10.1037/xap0000382

[img]
Preview
PDF
WRAP-Risk-compensation-COVID-19-impact-face-mask-usage-social-distancing-2021.pdf - Accepted Version - Requires a PDF viewer.

Download (1433Kb) | Preview
[img] PDF
MaskCompensationRev2_acceptance_letter.pdf - Permissions Correspondence
Embargoed item. Restricted access to Repository staff only - Requires a PDF viewer.

Download (95Kb)
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/xap0000382

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

To reduce the spread of Covid-19, governments around the world have recommended or required minimum physical distancing between individuals, as well as either mandating or recommending the use of face coverings (masks) in certain circumstances. When multiple risk reduction activities can be adopted, people may engage in risk compensation by responding to a reduced (perceived) risk exposure due to one activity by increasing risk exposure due to another. We tested for risk compensation in two online experiments that investigated whether either wearing a mask or seeing others wearing masks reduced physical distancing. We presented participants with stylized images of everyday scenarios involving themselves with or without a mask and a stranger with or without a mask. For each scenario, participants indicated the minimum distance they would keep from the stranger. In line with risk compensation, we found that participants indicated they would stand, sit or walk closer to the stranger if either of them was wearing a mask. This form of risk compensation was stronger for those who believed masks were effective at preventing catching or spreading Covid-19, and for younger (18-40 years) compared to older (over 65 years) participants.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Behavioural Science
Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): COVID-19 (Disease) -- Social aspects, COVID-19 (Disease) -- Psychological aspects, Risk-taking (Psychology), Social distancing (Public health), Decision making, Masks -- Health aspects
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Experimental Psychology : Applied
Publisher: American Psychological Association
ISSN: 1076-898X
Official Date: 2021
Dates:
DateEvent
2021Published
27 May 2021Accepted
Volume: 27
Number: 4
Page Range: pp. 722-738
DOI: 10.1037/xap0000382
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Reuse Statement (publisher, data, author rights): American Psychological Association. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the final, authoritative version of the article. Please do not copy or cite without authors' permission. The final article will be available, upon publication, via its DOI: 10.1037/xap0000382
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Description:

Free to read

RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:
Project/Grant IDRIOXX Funder NameFunder ID
ES/P008976/1[ESRC] Economic and Social Research Councilhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000269
Related URLs:
  • Publisher

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item View Item
twitter

Email us: wrap@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Details
About Us