Behavioral immune system linked to responses to the threat of COVID-19

Abstract

People possess psychological processes that help them avoid pathogens, which is particularly important when novel infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19) spread through the population. Across two studies we examined whether trait pathogen avoidance (operationalized as perceived vulnerability to disease; PVD) was linked with responses to COVID-19 and preventative behaviors. In Study 1, PVD was positively associated with stronger reactions to the threat of COVID-19, including increased anxiety, perceptions that people should alter their typical behavior, as well as reported importance of engaging in proactive and social distancing behaviors. In Study 2, PVD was again associated with increased anxiety, as well as more vigilant behavior when grocery shopping, fewer trips to the store, and fewer face-to-face interactions. These associations remained significant when controlling for the Big-5 personality traits. Although the two subscales of PVD (germ aversion and perceived infectability) were often parallel predictors, several differences between the subscales emerged. Germ aversion may be more associated with behaviors whereas perceived infectability with vigilance.

Self-Persuasion Increases Motivation for Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Moral Obligation

“…In line with previous studies we found that women have higher intention to socially isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic (Clark et al, 2020;Everett et al, 2020), and have a more positive attitude towards doing it (van Baal & Hohwy, 2020). Furthermore, in accordance with the results of recent studies, women not only perceived COVID-19 as a more severe disease , but also believed that they are more vulnerable to it (Makhanova , & Shepherd, 2020). We have also identified previously unexplored relationships, i.e.…”

“…From this perspective, it may be surprising that in our study older people did not perceive greater susceptibility to the disease or the severity of the disease in comparison to younger people, as observed in other studies (e.g. Li, Yang, Dou, Wang, Zhang, & Lin, 2020;Makhanova , & Shepherd, 2020). The results may have been influenced by the way the respondents were recruited through Facebook advertising.…”

“…In general, the higher the perceived vulnerability to falling ill, and the higher the perceived severity of an illness, the higher is people's motivation for healthy behaviour. Some recent studies confirmed that perceived vulnerability is a significant predictor of engaging in proactive and social distancing behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic (Makhanova , & Shepherd, 2020;van Rooij et al, 2020). However, other studies demonstrated that the perceived severity of COVID-19, not the perceived vulnerability, had a positive impact on social isolation intention (Callow, Callow, & Smith, 2020;Farooq, Laato, & Islam, 2020;Kaspar, 2020).…”

Warning ‘Don't spread’ versus ‘Don't be a spreader’ to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Specifically, germ aversion was higher during the pandemic than prior to its onset, while perceived infectability was lower during the pandemic than in the pre-pandemic situation. Makhanova & Shepherd [20] investigated whether PVD was linked with responses to COVID-19 mainly for American participants, and established a positive correlation in both the PVD's subscales with the threat to COVID-19. In other words, during the pandemic, the higher the danger of COVID-19, the more they felt that being infected was more likely.…”

“…This finding seems to be different and one can argue that this discrepancy between the studies is derived from the Japanese culture of having less physical contact. However, Makhanova & Shepherd [20] investigated the PVD only during the pandemic. Furthermore, since to the best of our knowledge, no studies have compared PVD scores during COVID-19 with those in non-pandemic situations; it is too early to conclude as to whether these tendencies of PVD are specific to the Japanese people.…”