Cognitive Resistance to Government Influences in Russia (the Case of COVID-19 Vaccination)

Abstract

The article considers the phenomenon of “cognitive resistance” as individuals’ blocking of certain behavior that is stimulated by means of communicative influence on them. This phenomenon can be observed in relation to influences that are perceived by addressees as manipulation. The article presents the results of an empirical study, the purpose of which was to test the hypothesis of the presence of such resistance. The method of a survey experiment of the “split ballot” type was used. During the public opinion poll one group was offered informational materials about vaccination against COVID-19, allegedly coming from government agencies, the other group – the same materials, but allegedly coming from a private person. Comparison of the results showed that the respondents of the first group experienced a significantly higher level of distrust of the source’s motives, more actively sought to find a refutation of the information they offered, and worsened their attitude to vaccination instead of improving it. Thus, the study confirms the existence of the phenomenon of cognitive resistance in Russian society on the example of the situation with vaccination against COVID-19, and shows that the reason for this cognitive resistance is probably the attribution of hostile motives to the state.

Keywords

• cognitive resistance
• state
• covid-19
• vaccination
• persuasion
• trust
• competence