The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How to talk to friends who still aren’t social distancing
Georgia is under a shelter-inplace order statewide, but that hasn’t stopped some people from congregating.
While criticizing people on social media may be tempting, experts say people interested in changing the behavior of their neighbors, friends and family members who aren’t staying home and maintaining a 6-foot distance from others should pursue a different avenue: empathy.
Before initiating a conversation about social distancing, it’s important to understand the psychology behind why some people refuse to participate, said Syon Bhanot, a behavioral economist and assistant professor at Swarthmore College. In general, he said, people are not as responsive to threats they cannot see, like a virus, and some may think the situation is not serious because they’re not “seeing people falling down on a street from being sick.”
Bhanot noted young people may feel a false sense of security because they are considered lowrisk for severe complications from the virus, and therefore be unwilling to take on the burden of social distancing and isolation.
For some, ignoring social distancing guidelines may be a coping mechanism to deal with their heightened anxiety about the pandemic, said Jeff Wolper, founder and director of the Wolper Institute for Group Learning in New York City. He noted a common psychological reaction to anxiety: fight or flight.
“In this case, flight can look like ignoring the situation, being in denial about its seriousness or joking about it,” Wolper said.
“Well-meaning people who are approaching those defying social distancing are creating a paradox, because they’re raising the anxiety of those refusing to comply, causing them to dig their feet in further.”
Wolper said finding ways to bring down people’s anxiety level before giving advice about social distancing is key. Because of the uncertainty of the pandemic, “coping strategies are peaked,” he said, and it’s important to prioritize the person you’re talking with.
“After you understand the person you’re engaging with ... help them design a new temporary normal that includes things that reduce anxiety that are safe, along with behaviors that honor the scientific recommendations we’re getting,” he said.