Do risky behaviors represent ignorant or rebellious attitude?: The information processing of risky behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

This study explored the information processing of individuals with high-risk behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Behavioral changes due to healthcare issues have been explored; however, research on high-risk behavior groups remains scarce. Study 1 surveyed behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic and showed that respondents’ lifestyles had a strong association with risky behaviors. Study 2 prescreened respondents to clarify the high-risk behavior group’s information processing mechanisms, and showed that they were critical of the possibility of errors in official information. Communication with risk behavior group represented rebellious attitudes toward infection control actions was discussed.