Differences and similarities in the conceptualization of COVID-19 and other diseases in the first Italian lockdown.

ABSTRACT: Several studies have highlighted the flexible character of our conceptual system. However, less is known about the construction of meaning and the impact of novel concepts on the structuring of our conceptual space. We addressed these questions by collecting free listing data from Italian participants on a newly-and yet nowadays critical-introduced concept, i.e., COVID-19, during the first Italian lockdown. We also collected data for other five illness-related concepts. Our results show that COVID-19's representation is mostly couched in the emotional sphere, predominantly evoking fear-linked to both possible health-related concerns and social-emotional ones. In contrast with initial public debates we found that participants did not assimilate COVID-19 neither completely to severe illnesse

SUBMITTER: Mazzuca C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8443562 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature