How Symbols Shape Our Beliefs: A Look at COVID-19 and Beyond

People often see things differently. What one person views as a sensible action, another might see as a sign of something much bigger. This idea is at the heart of a recent exploration into how symbols influence our perceptions and beliefs. Researchers dug into how people's views on COVID-19 measures were tied to something deeper: a symbolic show of strength. This isn't just about masks and vaccines. It's about what these things represent to people. Across eight countries, they found that this symbolic thinking was a strong predictor of how dangerous people thought COVID-19 was, their stance on vaccines, and even their belief in misinformation.But it doesn't stop at COVID-19. The same idea was applied to cryptocurrency. People's symbolic views on crypto predicted how risky they thought it was, their general beliefs in conspiracies, and even their preference for autocratic governments. This suggests that symbols play a big role in shaping our perceptions, not just in health but in finance and politics too. The findings also hint that this symbolic thinking isn't limited to big issues. It can influence how we see products, marketing, and even ethical decisions. It's a reminder that our beliefs are often shaped by what things symbolize, not just the facts. So, next time you see a mask or hear about crypto, think about what it represents to you. It might say more about your beliefs than you realize.