Faith in Trump, Moral Foundations, and Social Distancing Defiance During the Coronavirus Pandemic

56 Pages Posted: 28 Apr 2020 Last revised: 8 Jun 2020

See all articles by Amanda Graham

Amanda Graham

Georgia Southern University

Frank Cullen

University of Cincinnati

Justin Pickett

School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, SUNY

Cheryl Jonson

Xavier University

Murat Haner

University of South Florida - Sarasota Campus

Melissa Sloan

University of South Florida - Sarasota Campus

Date Written: April 22, 2020

Abstract

Purpose: Over the past several months, the coronavirus has infected nearly 2 million Americans and killed more than 100,000. Governors have issued stay-at-home orders, and prosecutors have filed criminal charges against individuals for defying those orders. And yet, many Americans have still refused to keep their distance from their fellow citizens, even if they had symptoms of infection. This study explores the underlying causes for those who intend to defy these norms.

Methods: Using national-level data from a March 2020 survey of 989 Americans, we explore intentions to defy social distancing norms by testing an interactionist theory of foundation-based moral behavior in combination with faith in President Trump. The analysis controls for a range of variables, including measures of low self-control and deterrence.

Results: Low self-control is the strongest predictor of defiance intentions. Consistent with interactionist theory, defiance intentions are significantly higher for those holding a specific faith in Trump and those endorsing binding foundation. Furthermore, the interaction of these two variables is significant and in the predicted direction. The results hold for two different measures of faith in Trump.

Conclusions: Even with a strong effect for low self-control, faith in President Trump is a strong predictor of refusal to social distance, and its effect is largest among individuals high in binding foundations.

Keywords: COVID-19, social distancing, President Trump, moral foundations, pandemic

Suggested Citation

Graham, Amanda and Cullen, Frank and Pickett, Justin and Jonson, Cheryl and Haner, Murat and Sloan, Melissa, Faith in Trump, Moral Foundations, and Social Distancing Defiance During the Coronavirus Pandemic (April 22, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3586626 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3586626

Amanda Graham (Contact Author)

Georgia Southern University ( email )

P.O. Box 8151
Statesboro, GA 30460-8151
United States

Frank Cullen

University of Cincinnati ( email )

Cincinnati, OH 45221-0389
United States

Justin Pickett

School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, SUNY ( email )

135 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
United States
803-215-8954 (Phone)

Cheryl Jonson

Xavier University ( email )

Cincinnati, OH 45207
United States

Murat Haner

University of South Florida - Sarasota Campus ( email )

Sarasota, FL
United States

Melissa Sloan

University of South Florida - Sarasota Campus ( email )

Sarasota, FL
United States

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