Researcher from Trier University (Germany) discovered a significant relation between disease-related social Darwinist attitudes and non-compliance with covid-19 guidelines. 

Two studies, conducted in Germany and the US, suggest that people who view disease as a means of achieving societal progress (i.e., disease-related social Darwinism) are less likely to follow official Covid-19 guidelines regarding self-protection. The studies also show that these people are more likely to exhibit conservative or right-wing political attitudes. 

This research provides valuable inside into the role of social Darwinist beliefs during the Covid-19 pandemic in a broader political contexts. It has important implications for public-health more generally and highlights the need to address social Darwinist attitudes that are still present in societies today.

Survival of the fittest in the pandemic age: Introducing disease-related social Darwinism

Are social stress responses dependent on the group identity of interaction partners?

In one study, we examined the role of ethnic context on stress responses using a virtual reality (VR)-based adaptation of a standardized stress induction protocol, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST-VR). Results show that stress responses occur regardless of the ethnicity of the interviewer and could not be predicted based on implicit bias, explicit bias, or prejudicial attitudes regarding appearance. In real threat situations, the ethnic identity of the interaction partners apparently plays no role. The paper will be published in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Press release from University of Trier dated 07.09.2022

Die psychische Gesundheit von Kindern hat sich in der Pandemie verschlechtert

→ https://www.uni-trier.de/universitaet/fachbereiche-faecher/fachbereich-i/faecher-und-institute/psychologie/institutskolloquium