{"title":"Behind the Mask: Analyzing the Dual Influence of Social Norms on Pandemic Behavior in Japan1","authors":"Asako Miura, Aya Murayama, H. Kitamura","doi":"10.1111/jpr.12520","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"This study examines the relationship between social norms and mask‐wearing behavior during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan from two distinct normative perspectives: injunctive norms (governmental recommendations) and descriptive norms (observed behavior in others). Data were collected from a panel survey of Japanese residents from February to October 2023. Contrary to the study's hypothesis, which was based on system justification theory, no significant relationship was found between system justification motivation and individual mask‐wearing rates, either before or after the relaxation of governmental rules in March 2023. Additionally, a cross‐lagged panel model analysis conducted after the rule relaxation indicated a relationship between descriptive norms (societal estimates of mask‐wearing rates) and individual behavior. However, the influence of descriptive norms on individual mask‐wearing behavior was not as pronounced as was anticipated. The study highlights the complexities in the interplay between societal norms and individual behavior in public health crises, underscoring the importance of considering various factors, including cultural predispositions.","PeriodicalId":46699,"journal":{"name":"Japanese Psychological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Japanese Psychological Research","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpr.12520","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between social norms and mask‐wearing behavior during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan from two distinct normative perspectives: injunctive norms (governmental recommendations) and descriptive norms (observed behavior in others). Data were collected from a panel survey of Japanese residents from February to October 2023. Contrary to the study's hypothesis, which was based on system justification theory, no significant relationship was found between system justification motivation and individual mask‐wearing rates, either before or after the relaxation of governmental rules in March 2023. Additionally, a cross‐lagged panel model analysis conducted after the rule relaxation indicated a relationship between descriptive norms (societal estimates of mask‐wearing rates) and individual behavior. However, the influence of descriptive norms on individual mask‐wearing behavior was not as pronounced as was anticipated. The study highlights the complexities in the interplay between societal norms and individual behavior in public health crises, underscoring the importance of considering various factors, including cultural predispositions.
期刊介绍:
Each volume of Japanese Psychological Research features original contributions from members of the Japanese Psychological Association and other leading international researchers. The journal"s analysis of problem-orientated research contributes significantly to all fields of psychology and raises awareness of psychological research in Japan amongst psychologists world-wide.