Explaining the Prevalence of COVID-19 Based on Games Theory and Predicting Non-vaccination as a Free Riding Behavior through Dark Personality Traits

Numerous studies have shown that game theory, and in particular the public goods perspective, helps to better understand the behavior of individuals in a global pandemic. The aim of the present study is to explain the vaccination program against COVID-19 virus based on game theory of public goods, to predict non-participation in vaccination as a free riding behavior through dark personality traits. 176 Internet participants were selected by convenience sampling method and answered demographic questions and dark personality traits questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Two-way logistic regression was used to predict the variable of participation in vaccination. The results of Homers-Lemshou test showed that the model fits the data well (x2 = 12.249, P <0.05) and was able to predict the criterion variable (participation / non-participation in the vaccination program) (x2 = 63.914 holistic, P <0.001). Overall, the model was able to predict 86.9% of all cases correctly. Among the three predictor variables of narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy at the error level of 0.05, only the discriminant slope coefficient was significant for the psychopathy variable. Therefore, it can be concluded that the increase in psychopathy scores is associated with a decrease in the probability or chance of participating in vaccination (OR = 0.179). This research uses a concept of economics (game theory) to provide a new explanation of group participation in the vaccination program; The results of this study also help to better understand how people with dark personality traits function in vaccination against COVID-19.