Article

 

PEOPLE NOW WEAR MASKS: IS IT THE OUTCOME OF INDIVIDUAL’S PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLUENCE BEING SAFE? (p.87-97)

by

Akim M. Rahman, CANADIAN UNIVERSITY OF BANGLADESH & SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SERI)

Keywords : COVID-19 crisis, Traditional approach, Convincing approach, Business-mentality, Effective management

JEL classification : I10, I11, I12, I15, I18, I19

Abstract

Human psychology influences individual’s decision where numerous factors can be used exploiting the decision in the 21st business-mentality world. But this approach was missing addressing the severity of the COVID-19 crisis while it was spreading globally country-wise. Most countries like Bangladesh were not prepared meeting the challenges. Addressing the issue, they started with traditional-approaches namely lockdown and no-mask no-service etc. However, a large population nationwide had ignored the restrictions. However, no effort was given for convincing people, making them for understanding and then makes appeal for peoples’ actions etc. rather using traditional approaches. Today there is no lockdown and no restriction in place. But small percentage of the population wears masks. This dichotomy in result raises question: Is it the outcome of individual’s psychological influence being safe? This study scrutinizes the answer using the Consumer Choice & Behavioral Theory lens. Thus, it concludes that some factors such as perceived risk, being see of consequences, messages through media and feelings of responsibility & safety out of self-consciousness etc. play significant roles in today’s scenario. Since most people are risk-averse, utility analysis of the factor(s) of psychology influence such as individual’s understanding about severity, knowledge etc. are dominating today’s scenario where expected utility leads mask-wearing today. Thus, the policy-proposal ratifies that utilization the techniques of convincing people rather imposing command & control could have undercut the number of deaths. Welfare analysis of the policy-proposal can lead to future study on today’s scenario.