Aside from a vaccine or cure, knowledge of human behaviour and psychology may be the best means of controlling the spread of COVID-19.
In a new, freely available book, 国产探花 psychologist聽聽said psychological theory was 鈥� appropriately 鈥� informing planning and public debate around the most significant world event of our lifetimes.
She and co-author聽Professor Alex Haslam聽and other international experts collaborated on聽,听using decades of insights from social psychology research to better understand events of recent months.
鈥淥ur means of controlling the infection spread depends on behavioural changes and hence upon psychology,鈥� Professor Jetten said.
鈥淎n effective response to the pandemic hinges on people coming together and supporting each other as members of a common community, which is why the social psychological dimensions of the pandemic are so important.鈥�
Professor Haslam said many of the book鈥檚 contributors had been advising a range of bodies since the start of the pandemic on the psychology of how to best support the COVID-19 response.
鈥淭hey have provided input to governments and task forces around the world on topics including communications and messaging, adherence to lockdown and physical distancing, trust-building, leadership, public order, and the mental health impact of physical distancing measures,鈥� Professor Haslam said.
鈥淭his knowledge and expertise contributes to chapters on dynamics that have been found to be extremely important in the COVID-19 crisis.鈥�
The book covers topics including leadership, compliance, behaviour change, conspiracy theories, threat and risk perception, social isolation (in particular for vulnerable groups such as older adults), trauma, crowds, emergencies, solidarity, social order, inequality, polarisation and prejudice.
Professor Haslam said the book鈥檚 most important aim was to help people understand the importance of the phrase 鈥榳e鈥檙e all in this together鈥�.
鈥淚n the words of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, it鈥檚 time to get our heads around the 鈥榳e鈥� concept,鈥� Professor Haslam said.
鈥淗e said 鈥業t鈥檚 not about you or me, it鈥檚 about all of us鈥�.鈥�
The book 鈥� part monograph and part edited volume 鈥� is co-authored by Professor Steve Reicher from the University of St Andrews, and Dr Tegan Cruwys, from Australian National University, with contributions from 24 international experts.
Together Apart: The Psychology of COVID-19听颈蝉听, and will be printed.
Media: Professor Jolanda Jetten,听j.jetten@psy.uq.edu.au; Professor Alex Haslam,听a.haslam@uq.edu.au; Dani Nash, 国产探花 Communications,听dani.nash@uq.edu.au, 0434 551 578.
