| dc.description.abstract | In modern politics, individuals tend to be closed-minded to ideas and realities that do not align with their own. Oftentimes, individuals seek out different information to help confirm their original beliefs and attitudes, even when those attitudes argue against scientific or factual information. When this occurs, people develop what is called a misperception. Misperceptions are formed through access to media outlets, political elites, and what Kunda (1990) calls motivated reasoning theory. The development of misperceptions has become significantly problematic during unprecedented circumstances, much like the COVID-19 pandemic. During the outbreak of COVID-19, individuals have developed perceptions of the re-opening of public spaces such as schools, restaurants, and bars. In August 2020, University of Oklahoma students returned to campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While federal and state officials’ perceptions of safety have been made clear, such as the president and state governors, little is known about how students view their return to campus. Using an original survey, this thesis will determine whether estimates of COVID-19 deaths in Oklahoma are associated with University of Oklahoma students’ perceptions of safety portrayed during their return to campus during the fall 2020 semester. | en_US |
