Abstract

The objectives of the research are to determine the different perceptions of students and lecturers in responding to conspiracy theories, to determine differences perceptions of students and lecturers in responding to the hazard of Covid-19. The research was conducted in August-September 2020. The population in the research were all students and lecturers of Muhammadiyah Metro University. Sampling in the research by using simple random sampling. The total number of students at Muhammadiyah Metro University was 5475 students and participants in the research were 675 students (12.32%). Meanwhile, from 195 lecturers in Muhammadiyah Metro University participated in the research consist of 78 lecturers (40%). Data analysis of the research was conducted by using an Independent Sample t-test. In the second research, data from respondents were analyzed by using Pearson product-moment correlation to analyze the correlation between perceptions of conspiracy theories and the hazard of Covid-19. The results of the research showed that there was a very significant difference in perceptions between students and lecturers on conspiracy theories (t = 5.483, p <0.01). Lecturers have a higher level of education than students, this assumes that the level of education affects the perceptions of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories that are generally built on irrational thinking and without empirical support tend to be easily trusted to the conspiracy theories. The individuals who have lower analytical skills and lack information support tend to be easily trusted to the conspiracy theories too. However, the results showed that there was no difference in perceptions of the hazards of Covid-19 between students and lecturers (t = 1.665, p> 0.05). This result indicates that understanding the hazards of Covid-19 does not depend on the level of education. This research confirms that various Covid-19 conspiracy theories do not tend to reduce individual perceptions of the hazards of Covid-19. The Covid-19 phenomenon has become a world issue as a dangerous pandemic. Based on the belief about these hazards, efforts to anticipate the transmission of Covid-19 can be carried out together by implementing health protocols for all academicians.

KeywordsCovid-19, Hazards of Covid-19, Lecturers Perception, Students Perception, Conspiracy Theory.