‘They Weren’t Wrong, They Lied’: Anti-intellectualism in Anti-Vaccine Facebook Group Content and Members

Jessica Ledford

Advisor: Gary L. Kreps, PhD, Department of Communication

Committee Members: Xiaoquan Zhao, Timothy Gibson, Sergey Samoylenko

Online Location, Online
April 22, 2025, 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Abstract:

 This study examined how anti-intellectualism is presented and shaped through five research questions, addressing health knowledge, trust in experts, and perceptions of credibility. A qualitative content analysis of 750 anti-vaccine Facebook group posts and comments uncovered four dominant themes: Systematic corruption of elites and medical professionals, vaccines are harmful and ineffective, the anti-vaccine health movement and community, credible health information, experts, and proof. The emergence of these themes demonstrates the lack of trust in traditional experts and transfers it to supporting evidence and experts. These themes highlight distrust toward traditional experts while fostering anti-vaccine information. 

Keywords: anti-intellectualism, anti-vaccine, expert trust, anti-vaccine community

Zoom:

https://gmu.zoom.us/j/98566493928