Hesitancy

Hesitancy refers to a pause or reluctance to act or decide, often arising from doubt, uncertainty, or concern about potential outcomes. It is a general behavioral tendency that can occur in many domains, including health, politics, technology adoption, and everyday decisions. In some contexts it is temporary and proportionate to the stakes; in others it can become persistent or affect large groups.

The term derives from early Latin hesitare, meaning to hesitate, via Old French hesiter, and entered English to describe moments of non-commitment.

In health, vaccine hesitancy denotes delay or refusal to vaccinate despite availability of vaccines; other medical decisions may similarly be hindered by hesitancy. In technology and policy, individuals may delay adoption of new devices or reforms. People may also experience speech or communication hesitancy, a form of reluctance to speak in social or formal settings.

Causes include perceived risks and benefits, trust in authorities, personal or communal experiences, cultural values, and information quality. Cognitive biases, such as ambiguity aversion or overestimating rare harms, can reinforce hesitancy. Social influence, misinformation, and access barriers also play a role. Hesitancy is often distinguished from outright refusal or procrastination; it lies on a spectrum and may change with new information or social context.

Addressing hesitancy commonly involves transparent messaging, listening to concerns, involving trusted community voices, and reducing practical barriers. In clinical decision making, shared decision making and decision aids can mitigate hesitancy by clarifying trade-offs and aligning choices with values.