From what I've heard, this is bad: An examination of Americans' source preferences and information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

As an extension of a prior research, the current study examines the relationships among source preferences, need for cognition, information seeking, and protective actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results derived from a nationally representative sample of American respondents suggest trait need for cognition is not a significant predictor of source preferences, mitigation behaviors, or specific risk perceptions. However, those with higher need for cognition, and those who were more reliant on television and internet media felt an elevated sense of overall risk. Individuals who collected information from radio, social media, and interpersonal interactions expressed higher levels of specific risk probability, while those reliant on television and websites reported higher levels of general risk perceptions and more mitigation behaviors. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Information seeking
• Source preferences
• Crisis communication