The macropsychology of COVID-19: Psychological governance as pandemic response

Am Psychol. 2022 Jan;77(1):100-110. doi: 10.1037/amp0000909. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Abstract

Controlling the pandemic has necessitated governments across the world to implement behavior change agenda, through new policies, laws, and public communication strategies. The concept of "psychological governance" has therefore been crucial to curtailing the pandemic. Psychological governance is the application of insights from behavioral and psychological sciences to public policy for the purpose of influencing behavior at the individual, group, and population levels. Similarly, a macropsychology perspective aims to understand and shape behavior at the population level, through the application of psychology to factors that influence the settings and conditions of our lives, such as policies, institutions, systems, and structures. Psychological governance and a macropsychology perspective are key to effectively supporting pandemic preparedness, coping, and recovery at the population level. In this paper, the role of psychological governance in responding to COVID-19 is considered. This paper also examines the role of several macropsychological factors in the pandemic, including heroism, trust in government, culture, and equitable access and human rights. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • COVID-19*
  • Government
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • Public Policy