Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
07:57
A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
The spread of mental contamination.
Anna E Coughtrey1, Roz Shafran, S J Rachman
1School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, Reading University, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AL, UK.
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
|August 17, 2013
Summary
Mental contamination can spread to others without physical contact, similar to contact contamination. This psychological phenomenon transfers and spreads without diminishing, even without direct exposure.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Fear of contamination arises from physical contact (contact contamination) or without it (mental contamination).
- The transmission and degradation patterns of contact contamination are understood.
- Empirical investigation into the spread of mental contamination has been lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the empirical spread of mental contamination.
- To examine if mental contamination degrades over successive transfers.
- To compare the spread of mental contamination with contact contamination.
Main Methods:
- Adapted Tolin et al. (2004) paradigm.
- Evoked feelings of mental contamination in participants.
- Participants transferred contamination via touch (contact) and without touch (no contact) to a clean pencil.
Main Results:
- Mental contamination transferred to a clean pencil in 72% (contact) and 48% (no contact) of participants.
- Contamination spread without degradation across 12 neutral pencils in both conditions.
- Mental contamination transmission occurs with and without physical contact.
Conclusions:
- Mental contamination can be transmitted without physical contact.
- The spread of mental contamination does not degrade over successive transfers.
- Mental contamination exhibits transmission characteristics similar to contact contamination.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Infection
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:30Reservoir of Infection
Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
01:01Group Polarization
Group polarization is the strengthening of an original group attitude following the discussion of views within a group (Teger & Pruitt, 1967). That is, if a group initially favors a viewpoint, after discussion the group consensus is likely a stronger endorsement of the viewpoint. Conversely, if the group was initially opposed to a viewpoint, group discussion would likely lead to stronger opposition.
01:30Community Based Intervention
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:28Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...