4 Deeper Psychological Causes of Mask-Related Hostility

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Throughout the pandemic, tension over mask-wearing has strained relationships and sparked violent confrontations. Viral videos show unmasked hikers being spat on, Uber drivers being assaulted for asking their passengers to wear masks, and meltdowns in grocery stores.

One form of tension that has become more relevant as mask mandates are lifted is hostility towards people who continue to wear masks, some of whom have reported being harassed for it. Mask-wearing could reasonably cause confusion or even concern in some circumstances, but less clear is why it also evokes outrage and aggression.

What could explain such strong reactions? Politics may play a role, given how politicized this subject has become, but that’s not necessarily the whole story. The following are four psychological factors that might also impact people’s reactions.

1. People might feel implicitly judged if they see someone in a mask

Research suggests that when we see someone engaging in a behavior that could be morally motivated, but that we ourselves don’t engage in, such as eating a vegetarian diet, we may feel like they are looking down on us (even if they’re not), and as a result view them in a negative light. This tendency has been called “do-gooder derogation,” and although it has not yet been studied in relation to mask-wearing, researchers have suggested that it might apply. That is, people might assume that masks are a form of virtue signaling intended to shame them. In reality, though, survey data suggests that a vast majority of mask-wearers are motivated by wanting to protect their own and others’ health rather than making a statement.

2. Facial expressions under a mask may be more likely to be misread

Reading facial expressions through masks can be difficult. Although eyes reveal emotion, without additional cues from other parts of the face, even the biggest smiles might appear blank, and a friendly glance might be mistaken for a glare. Research has found that people tend to be less accurate and less confident in their assessments of emotional expressions on a masked face. For example, they’re more likely to mistake happiness or sadness for neutrality, and less able to distinguish surprise from fear. Although body language and tone of voice can help fill in the blanks, that extra information isn’t always available, and it may not be enough to override pre-existing negative expectations, leading people to perceive a threat where there is none.

3. Masks may be an unwelcome reminder of our mortality and vulnerability

If you stop to consider the magnitude of death and suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s horrifying and hard to fathom. And it’s not something we typically want to think about. According to terror management theory, reminders of mortality are psychologically threatening, even terror-inducing, leading us to push the thought out of mind or frame it in a way that feels less threatening. In the context of the pandemic, the theory’s proponents argue, this response could involve downplaying the seriousness of the virus and feeling annoyed with people who take it more seriously. Because masks are associated in people's minds with a deadly disease, their presence might activate this psychological defense system.

4. People may lack awareness of the complex ways others have been impacted by the pandemic

For some, mask-resentment might come down to a desire to return to normal and put the pandemic behind them, and seeing masks interferes with that. While this desire is understandable, we can’t forget that not everyone has the luxury of returning to normal. Many people in the U.S. and around the world are still fighting for their lives or the lives of their loved ones, dealing with debilitating long-hauler symptoms, waiting for a vaccine that will work for them (the current vaccine regimens are insufficient for many who are immunocompromised), or grieving a tragic loss. The fact that people are still suffering does not mean that no one is allowed to enjoy life again, but it does provide perspective on why some people might choose to wear a mask even if it’s not required or commonplace.

As norms around masks shift, but individual circumstances remain diverse, we could all benefit from humility and compassion, giving others the benefit of the doubt that they are making the best decisions they can based on the information available to them.