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Apollonian and Dionysian Trust in Vaccination

Klintman, Mikael LU orcid (2024) p.21-34
Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy is a significant concern worldwide. While some attribute it to a lack of knowledge, experiments have revealed that merely providing additional scientific information has little effect on vaccination hesitancy. This chapter aims to better understand negative and positive vaccination sentiments and actions by examining scientific findings’ non-random and non-linear influence on people’s vaccination sentiments and actions. The chapter argues for a new understanding of vaccination-related distrust and trust that combines sociology with evolutionary theory. It suggests that vaccination-related distrust and trust are primarily adaptations to social environments rather than irrationality or lack of knowledge. The chapter... (More)

Vaccine hesitancy is a significant concern worldwide. While some attribute it to a lack of knowledge, experiments have revealed that merely providing additional scientific information has little effect on vaccination hesitancy. This chapter aims to better understand negative and positive vaccination sentiments and actions by examining scientific findings’ non-random and non-linear influence on people’s vaccination sentiments and actions. The chapter argues for a new understanding of vaccination-related distrust and trust that combines sociology with evolutionary theory. It suggests that vaccination-related distrust and trust are primarily adaptations to social environments rather than irrationality or lack of knowledge. The chapter introduces the concepts of Apollonian trust, focusing on the issue-specific problem-solving potential of vaccination, and Dionysian trust, emphasising group identity and social cohesion. The author argues that organisations promoting vaccination have focused primarily on enhancing Apollonian trust. This may have hindered a reduction in vaccination hesitancy among groups whose hesitancy is rooted in cultural and ideological identity. The chapter provides examples mainly from Denmark and Sweden, illustrating the argument that can be associated with Apollonian and Dionysian trust. It concludes that better integration of the two types of trust in communication is necessary to address the challenges of vaccination hesitancy.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Science communication, Health communication, conspiracy theories, polarisation, ignorance
host publication
Vaccine Hesitancy in the Nordic Countries : Trust and Distrust during the COVID-19 Pandemic - Trust and Distrust during the COVID-19 Pandemic
pages
14 pages
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • scopus:85191424774
ISBN
9781032305998
9781040011614
DOI
10.4324/9781003305859-3
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Lars Borin, Mia-Marie Hammarlin, Dimitrios Kokkinakis & Fredrik Miegel; individual chapters, the contributors.
id
e3795e71-7ba5-4217-aed1-7d3f23ebf225
date added to LUP
2024-05-24 12:18:09
date last changed
2024-06-07 13:14:35
@inbook{e3795e71-7ba5-4217-aed1-7d3f23ebf225,
  abstract     = {{<p>Vaccine hesitancy is a significant concern worldwide. While some attribute it to a lack of knowledge, experiments have revealed that merely providing additional scientific information has little effect on vaccination hesitancy. This chapter aims to better understand negative and positive vaccination sentiments and actions by examining scientific findings’ non-random and non-linear influence on people’s vaccination sentiments and actions. The chapter argues for a new understanding of vaccination-related distrust and trust that combines sociology with evolutionary theory. It suggests that vaccination-related distrust and trust are primarily adaptations to social environments rather than irrationality or lack of knowledge. The chapter introduces the concepts of Apollonian trust, focusing on the issue-specific problem-solving potential of vaccination, and Dionysian trust, emphasising group identity and social cohesion. The author argues that organisations promoting vaccination have focused primarily on enhancing Apollonian trust. This may have hindered a reduction in vaccination hesitancy among groups whose hesitancy is rooted in cultural and ideological identity. The chapter provides examples mainly from Denmark and Sweden, illustrating the argument that can be associated with Apollonian and Dionysian trust. It concludes that better integration of the two types of trust in communication is necessary to address the challenges of vaccination hesitancy.</p>}},
  author       = {{Klintman, Mikael}},
  booktitle    = {{Vaccine Hesitancy in the Nordic Countries : Trust and Distrust during the COVID-19 Pandemic}},
  isbn         = {{9781032305998}},
  keywords     = {{Science communication; Health communication; conspiracy theories; polarisation; ignorance}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  pages        = {{21--34}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  title        = {{Apollonian and Dionysian Trust in Vaccination}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003305859-3}},
  doi          = {{10.4324/9781003305859-3}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}