CBEL Report Volume 6, Issue 1

Shotaro Kinoshita

LetterConspiracy Theories, Anti-Science, and Anti-Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Shotaro Kinoshita *During the pandemic of the COVID-19, conspiracy

society are among those who believe in conspiracy the-theories about vaccines and other issues were high-ories and engage in vaccine avoidance and other behav-

lighted as a public health threat [1]. A small positive cor-iors. For example, it has been reported that those whorelation between general attitudes towards science andbelieve in conspiracy theories were more likely to be so-general knowledge of scientific facts has been reported

cially vulnerable or meet criteria for mental illness, such[2], higher vaccination coverage among the most edu-

as currently unmarried, less educated, in a lower income

cated and lower coverage among the least educatedhousehold, from an ethnic minority group, perceiving

were reported globally for the COVID-19 vaccine [3].

themselves as of lower social standing compared to oth-In addition, a link between conspiracy theories and ed-ers, lower levels of physical and psychological well-be-ucation has also been noted, with a large survey of 17ing, higher levels of suicidal ideation, weaker social net-

European countries reporting that individuals who ex-works, less secure attachment style, and difficult child-pressed conspiracy beliefs had lower COVID-19 vac-hood family experiences [6]. Furthermore, paranoidcine uptake, and that higher probability of believing inpersonality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder,

conspiracy theories was associated with lower levels ofand narcissistic personality disorder have also been

education [4]. On the other hand, contrary to thesenoted to have a high affinity with conspiracy theories

trends, a study reported that Doctorate were more hesi-[7], and indeed one study has shown that paranoia wastant to vaccinate when compared to those with a 4-year

linked to a reduction in vaccination adherence with thecollege degree, those with a master’s degree, and thosemediation effect of mistrust in medical science [8]. Thus,

with a professional degree (e.g. MD, JD) [5]. Therefore,

it is problematic that the conspiracy theory is leading thestudies of vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy theories

socially vulnerable and those in need of psychiatricmay need to consider not only social attributes, but also

treatment and care in an anti-scientific and anti-medical

individual factors such as personality traits like the needdirection, preventing them from receiving the help theyfor cognitive closure.

need. Not only will we have to deny those who believe

Other noteworthy points from the perspective of med-in conspiracy theories, but we will also have to take theirical ethics include the fact that a certain number of men-backgrounds into consideration so that we can delivertally ill patients and other vulnerable members ofappropriate support.

* Hills Joint Research Laboratory for Future Preventive Medicine and Wellness, Keio University School of Medicine

Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
E-mail: shotaro.kinoshita@keio.jp
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Conspiracy Theories, Anti-Science, and Anti-Medicine
in the COVID-19 Pandemic

CBEL Report Volume 6, Issue 1

References

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