ABSTRACT
The challenges presented by the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) meant that many national governments around the world were forced to deploy extreme measures of control over public behaviour. Many freedoms of movement were suspended. To succeed, these measures needed full public compliance. Historical evidence had shown that these measures could be effective in controlling the spread of highly infectious diseases for which no medical cures were available. They could come with a cost, however. This could be economic and psychological. Epidemiological modelling showed how “lockdowns” or other restrictions on public behaviour could slow disease spread and protect people. Medical epidemiology alone, however, was never sufficient to understand how best to keep populations onside with behavioural restrictions. Public compliance was essential to the effectiveness of centrally imposed restrictions. This book critically considers a number of psychological models that were presented as offering useful frameworks to underpin extended restrictions on public behaviour. Four models, in particular, nudge theory, social identity and group processes, theory of planned behaviour and COM-B (capability-opportunity-motivation-behaviour), are placed centre-stage in this analysis of public behavioural compliance with government restrictions and requests during the COVID-1 pandemic.
