Can Taking Someone Else’s Perspective Reduce the Harm of Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs?

What is it about?

Outbreaks of infectious diseases often go hand in hand with the spread of conspiracy beliefs. Once conspiracy beliefs take hold, they are difficult to change. These beliefs can make people less willing to follow public health advice, such as getting vaccinated. This research examines whether perspective-taking—trying to see from another person’s point of view—can reduce the negative impact of conspiracy beliefs on vaccine acceptance. Across six studies, participants were asked to take the perspective of people who held positive attitudes toward vaccination, either by reading interview excerpts, having live conversations, or watching a public-service-style video. The findings show that perspective-taking can consistently reduce the harmful effects of conspiracy beliefs on willingness to accept vaccines, even beyond COVID-19, and the effects were driven by feeling psychologically closer to others.

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Photo by Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo on Unsplash

Photo by Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Vaccine hesitancy remains a major challenge for public health, especially as conspiracy beliefs continue to circulate widely through media and social interactions. Many existing interventions aim to correct misinformation directly, but these approaches often fail once beliefs are deeply entrenched. This research highlights perspective-taking as a low-cost and practical alternative. Rather than correcting people, encouraging them to understand the views of others is a more effective way. These findings offer valuable insights for psychologists, public health professionals, and policymakers seeking effective ways to promote vaccination and reduce the societal impact of conspiracy beliefs.

Perspectives