The psychological impact of face masks
This is how the regular use of face masks influences us psychologically.
Our lives have changed rapidly and drastically. As a society we have been confronted with a situation for which we were previously unprepared. We are now immersed in a "new normality" in which, among other major changes, we find the use of face masks... How is it affecting us?
In PsicoAlmería we are observing many changes at a cognitive and behavioral level, both individual changes and in the new patterns of society.
How does the new habit of wearing a mask affect us psychologically?
Focusing initially on the individual, one of the most important changes experienced has been the initial rejection of the mask.
As individuals with deep-rooted beliefs of feeling free and with the power of decision and freedom, the obligatory nature of the new measure of the use of the mask is framed as incongruent with our belief system.The compulsory nature of the new measure of the use of the mask is framed as incongruent with our belief system, so our response is the rejection despite being a measure that protects us.
This is not an isolated case, as it has happened in our history with other imposed measures, such as the anti-smoking law or points on the driver's license. These measures, although they have initially produced criticism and rejection by a part of society, after a period of habituation they seem normal to us, forming part of our lives.
Denialist Movement and Cognitive Biases
Fortunately, most of the population is being responsible with this measure of the use of the mask and other related measures for the prevention of COVID-19 contagion. However, a small part of our society is generating a new denialist movement against the use of these measures.How does psychology explain it?
We are detecting important cognitive biases. At the individual level, for example, it may happen that we have a personality in which we do not like to appear weak and the use of the mask makes us think that we appear vulnerable and afraid of becoming infected, thus avoiding its initial use.
Another mistake we are making is the result bias: "I have not been infected and I have not worn a mask, so why use it?", therefore believing that we will not be infected in the future and not changing our habits.
But surely the most dangerous psychological effects and the ones that best explain the current denialist movements are the Bandwagon effect or the bandwagon effectin which we do and believe in something by the simple fact that others in our environment or group do it. This effect is related to group thinking or gregarious behavior; we need to feel included in our social group, so it is easy to believe and act like my closest environment, or the one I identify with. This psychological tendency occurs proportionally depending on how many people already have it, and is currently reflected in the movements against the use of masks or falsifying the COVID-19 disease.
Finally, another important psychological effect is the cognitive bias of underestimation of the dangerin which we believe that we will not catch the disease or that the disease (if we do catch it) will be mild without complications, erroneously believing that this bad luck happens to others, like other serious existing diseases with a low probability of incidence.
Cognitive Behavioral Changes
After several months of using this garment, the mask, we have been adapting to new patterns of behavior. One of the most important and possibly the one we are having the hardest time modifying is our social way of greeting each other, being the custom of "two kisses" or a good handshake and a smile, among others.The "two kisses" or the good handshake and the smile, among other similar greetings of contact, have become customary.
As a consequence, we feel more "cold and distant", which can easily cause changes in personality and self-concept, and in the worst case, be a trigger or a bad predictor of some psychological disorders.
On the other hand, with the use of the mask the importance of nonverbal behavior and facial expressions is evident.. In verbal communications we rely heavily on the gestures of other people, such as a smile, which makes us redirect our way of speaking and communicating. With the mask, we have lost that social, communicational and empathizing part.
Another important fact is that we have experienced an increase in the number of people who do not hear well and who were unaware of this deficit simply by by the simple fact that they relied on complementary lip-reading in their communications.
One positive thing about the use of face masks is the hypothesis that it makes us look better looking. In addition to the fact that we can wear them customized, having almost half of our face covered forces our brain to reinterpret the missing part of the faces we see. Following the concept of modal completion, our brain reinterprets what is missing in the most symmetrical and flattering way possible.
Some final tips
It is very important that the masks we use are approved for safety and efficacy.This protection can also be achieved with hygienic fabric masks with built-in, reusable filters, while protecting the environment.
The masks will be safe if they are certified and have passed all the required laboratory tests.
Finally, this season is proving to be difficult, and unfortunately not everyone can cope with it in the best way. If you are experiencing anxiety or difficulties, at PsicoAlmería you will find specialized professional help (online and in person).
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)