Mistrust, uncertainty and health risks

Aspects of the relationship between mistrust, uncertainty and risk responses are examined. Identity Process Theory and Social Representation Theory are used to explain risk responses. The operation of mistrust, defined here as an active state of uncertainty about whether a source or its assertions a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Contemporary social science 2020-11, Vol.15 (5), p.504-516
Main Author: Breakwell, Glynis M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blame
Collective representation
Coping
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Identity
Media coverage
Mistrust
MMR
Politicians
Responses
risk
social representation
Trust
Uncertainty
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Summary:Aspects of the relationship between mistrust, uncertainty and risk responses are examined. Identity Process Theory and Social Representation Theory are used to explain risk responses. The operation of mistrust, defined here as an active state of uncertainty about whether a source or its assertions are to be believed, is examined. Mistrust can also be a cognitive or emotional trait of a person, associated with being habitually suspicious, doubtful, or sceptical, and, as such, can be a preferred strategy for coping with threats to identity. The relationship between mistrust and uncertainty in shaping responses to health risks is examined. An illustration using media reporting of MMR vaccine hesitancy during 2019 is described. This indicated: politicians and health experts sometimes mistrust the public's reaction to risk guidance; uncertainty once established is resilient against remediation; and, targeting of mistrust and blame is purposive.
ISSN:2158-2041
2158-205X
DOI:10.1080/21582041.2020.1804070