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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality and individual differences 2020-12, Vol.167, p.110221-110221, Article 110221
Main Authors: Makhanova, Anastasia, Shepherd, Melissa A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Avoidance behavior
Behavior
Behavioral immune system
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Germ aversion
Immune system
Infectious diseases
Perceived infectability
Personality traits
Preventative behaviors
Psychological processes
Shopping
Social distancing
Vigilance
Vulnerability
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Summary: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. •Trait pathogen avoidance linked to stronger responses to the threat of COVID-19.•Trait pathogen avoidance linked to greater social distancing.•Link to social distancing emerges when controlling for Big Five traits.•Germ aversion and perceived infectability demonstrate some different effects.
ISSN:0191-8869
1873-3549
0191-8869
DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2020.110221