'Covidiots' and the power of polarisation

4 August 2020

With Victoria now in a state of disaster, we’re reminded that we are all on the frontline of the battle with coronavirus. Our behaviours are more important than ever.

Videos of people refusing to wear masks, or arguing with police and shop assistants, have racked up hundreds of thousands of views online.

In the most extreme examples, the individuals responsible have been dubbed 'covidiots' for flouting coronavirus laws. So where does this resistance come from?

Professor Alex Haslam, from the UQ School of Psychology, and Dr Claire Hooker, from the University of Sydney, talk to ABC Radio National Life Matters about how to artfully navigate a conversation without it becoming heated, even when there are extreme differences of opinion.

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