Lower cognitive ability linked to non-compliance with social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus outbreak

[Puffing Devil]

An interesting, peer-reviewed, paper has just been published (link) which has been discussed in an article on Psypost:

The researchers also found that higher levels of fluid intelligence and agreeableness were associated with greater social distancing compliance. But the link between working memory and social distancing held even after controlling for these factors and others.

Those with better working memory capacity also tended to view social distancing as having more benefits than costs and were more likely to have a preference for fairness during an Ultimatum Game, which partially explained the association.

“The decision of whether or not to follow social distancing guidelines is a difficult one, especially when there is a conflict between the societal benefits (e.g., prevent straining public health resources) and personal costs (e.g., loss in social connection and financial challenges). This decision critically relies on our mental capacity in retaining multiple pieces of potentially conflicting information in our head, which is referred to as working memory capacity,” Xie told PsyPost.

The correlation with a low score on Agreeableness is not a surprise. Those who possess this trait are empathetic and are more likely to be altruistic, Low scores in agreeableness indicate a tendency to selfish behaviour.

 

[farci]

This research was undertaken in USA. I am no expert so I may have missed it, but is there any allowance made for the difference between US and UK culture?

My wife's family comes from the South (Georgia) and generally vote Republican. Those who have a good slug of 'fluid intelligence and agreeableness' see personal responsibility to be the keystone of being a good 'Amurrican'. To them the imposition of greater social distancing by the federal or state government interferes with their constitutional rights. Just like guns - but less lethal, perhaps.

Wherever you sit on the UK/European political spectrum we seem to have gone along with government mandated restrictions however frustrating

 

[Yew]

Perhaps those who are more intelligent are not willing to admit if they've not been complying, lest onerous and invasive laws are forced on them.

 

[Puffing Devil]

Perhaps those who are more intelligent are not willing to admit if they've not been complying, lest onerous and invasive laws are forced on them.

Perhaps. I'd go with the work of Dunning and Kruger, as an alternative theory, which is a little more established.

 

[adc82140]

So in summary, people who lack the ability to follow instructions do not follow this instruction either. No sh*t Sherlock comes to mind.

 

[Puffing Devil]

So in summary, people who lack the ability to follow instructions do not follow this instruction either. No sh*t Sherlock comes to mind.

I'd like to think that it was a little more nuanced than that.