About this Research Topic
The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the concept of blame in COVID-19 risk communication from a variety of perspectives in order to inform public policy and develop effective risk communication strategies.
This includes:
- The conceptualization and theorization of COVID-19 related blame, including from a health, social and personality psychology standpoint, and why blame exists in risk communication and translation
- The theoretical underpinnings of the mechanism of blame in COVID-19 risk communication
- The consequences of COVID-19-related blame at various societal levels, including those of individuals, social groups, organizations, and systems
- Sociological, psychological and behavioral factors that influence blame projection in pandemics
- Societal approaches to preventing and reducing blame and its consequences in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Social psychological approaches to risk communication, public health, and understanding blame related to COVID-19 (including social identity approaches).
- Lessons to be learnt and strategies for improved risk communication in pandemics
- Analysis of media message and risk communication strategies
- Innovative approaches to risk communication (such as those involving new technologies and AI)
This Research Topic welcomes contributions from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including:
· communication ethics
· cultural studies
· health communication
· health and social psychology
· international relations
· media studies
· medical anthropology
· medical humanities
· medical sociology
· political communication
· political science
· public health
· public policy
· risk communication
· social media studies
· sociology, race and ethnicity studies
While we particularly encourage empirical research and theoretical and systematic review papers, mini-reviews and well-written narrative papers, especially those using up to date evidence, will also be considered. Strong opinion and perspective papers may also be submitted.
Keywords: COVID-19, blame, risk communication, public health, social psychology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.