COVID racism driven by more than fear of infection

Anti-Asian discrimination and violence increased during COVID, and new research from Murdoch University has revealed one key psychological driver.

Rather than being driven by a fear of infection, aggressive forms of discrimination appeared to be more strongly associated with anger.

Dr Amy Lim from Murdoch University’s School of Psychology said that while concerns about infection might explain why people avoid those they perceive to be infectious, this explanation does not fully account for the rise in aggressive anti-Asian responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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