The psychology behind why you want to wear a face mask - even though it probably won't help you avoid illness

A woman wearing a face mask

  • With the growing spread of the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines for how to stay safe and avoid contracting the disease.
  • While they do encourage those diagnosed with or showing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus to take appropriate measures, they acknowledge that everyone wearing face masks is unlikely to be very effective.
  • So why are so many people rushing to buy face masks?
  • Psychotherapist Amy Morin explains that wearing the masks does more for our mental health than our physical well-being, by soothing our anxiety and giving us the illusion of being in control.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning guide to Americans that a coronavirus outbreak is fast approaching. This news has caused face-mask sales to skyrocket, despite the fact that wearing one probably won't protect you from contracting the illness.

Of course, it's considered a social norm in some cultures to wear a face mask somewhat regularly. In China, Japan, and South Korea, face masks may be worn to reduce risks associated with air pollution. They may also be worn as a way to protect others from illness in collectivist cultures.
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Yet more and more people are walking around wearing face masks, even as suppliers increase the prices.

So why do so many people want to cover up their faces if it doesn't help? It actually has more to do with their mental health than their physical health.

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We fear unknown risks

We fear unknown risks

We grow comfortable with the risks we take on a regular basis. Perhaps you drive your car every day. You likely don't feel scared when you get behind the wheel. You might even reply to text messages occasionally or forget to buckle up when driving.

But according to statistics, driving a car is a big risk. You have about a one in 103 chance of dying in a car crash. It just doesn't feel scary because it's a familiar risk you take.

The coronavirus isn't familiar. So you're uncomfortable with the risk of contracting it, and possibly dying from it. You likely have a bigger fear of it than of crashing your car.

Media consumption also fuels fears. Whether scrolling through social media or flipping through channels, reports about death tolls and the speed at which coronavirus is spreading are everywhere. The more content consumed, the more likely you are to overestimate chances of contracting the coronavirus — and the more likely your anxiety levels will skyrocket.

We struggle with 'the illusion of control'

We struggle with 'the illusion of control'

When we feel anxious about something, we become desperate to gain some sense of control over the situation.

It's a phenomenon psychologists call the "illusion of control." And research shows we often make strange decisions based on our perceived level of control.

For example, research shows most people think they are less likely to get into an accident when driving a car, as opposed to being the passenger. Being in the driver's seat makes people think they can prevent accidents — even though it doesn't really guarantee this at all.

Similarly, studies also show that people think they have a better chance of winning the lottery when they pick their own numbers, as opposed to allowing the computer to pick for them. Even though the numbers are drawn randomly, people are more likely to assume that having more control (picking their own numbers) increases their chances of success.

When it comes to the coronavirus, most of us likely feel we have little control over whether we contract it. And little is known about what might happen if we get it.

Wearing a face mask is one way to convince ourselves that we have some control over it. We tell ourselves, "Wearing this mask decreases my chances of getting sick." This, in turn, reduces our anxiety.

Rather than idly waiting for something bad to happen, we feel better if we take some sort of action. Even if the action isn't helpful, we have a way of fooling ourselves into believing that our behavior has control over the outcome.

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We overcompensate when safeguards are in place

We overcompensate when safeguards are in place

Interestingly, research also reveals the tendency to overcompensate when there are "safeguards" in place. Studies have shown that people are more likely to speed when wearing seatbelts.

And insurance companies have even discovered that drivers actually become more reckless when there are more safety features on a car.

This mentality may be one reason why so many people wearing face masks could even be detrimental in certain ways. They have convinced themselves that their face masks will protect them. So rather than reducing contact with the public as is suggested, people who are wearing face masks may actually become more likely to travel or interact with people.

The herd mentality is real

The herd mentality is real

The herd mentality is real — and research shows that most of us jump on bandwagons. So the more you see other people wearing a face mask, the more likely you are to put one on.

Researchers have known for a long time that people are susceptible to "behavioral mimicry," meaning we're quick to copy those around us. So whether you're walking through a marketplace, riding the subway, or sitting on a plane, the more people you see wearing face masks, the more likely you are to convince yourself that you should wear one, too. Not wearing one might even cause you to feel anxious.

The mask-wearers are more visible than people who are taking recommended precautions (washing their hands more often and limiting travel). This can cause you to assume everyone is wearing a mask.

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It reduces our anxiety

It reduces our anxiety

Most of us equate anxiety with risk level. If we feel really anxious, we reason that something must be really risky. And if we can reduce that anxiety, we'll convince ourselves that the level of risk we face is somehow lower.

So even though we've been warned that wearing a face mask might be a bad idea, doing so might still have the effect of reducing anxiety.

While it's up to you whether you decide to wear a mask, consider why you're doing it. Even though medical professionals might warn against it, you might find it gives you a little peace of mind — which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

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