Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Infection

Infection

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...

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...

Instinct Theory

Instinct Theory

Instinct theory proposes that innate biological instincts, like animal behavioral patterns, primarily drive human behavior. These instincts are inborn, not learned, and are fundamental to decision-making and action. Just as animals rely on instincts for critical survival functions such as migration, nest building, and defense, humans are also believed to exhibit behaviors rooted in evolutionary needs. For example, the instinct to reproduce motivates sexual behavior, while territorial instincts...

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Racism is not about "race".

Scientific reports·2023

Same author

First impressions of a new face are shaped by infection concerns.

Evolution, medicine, and public health·2023

Same author

Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition as Underlying Mechanism for the Formation of Double-Chambered Right Ventricle.

Pediatric cardiology·2022

Same author

Blue Eyes Help Men Reduce the Cost of Cuckoldry.

Archives of sexual behavior·2021

Same author

Most Findings Obtained With Untimed Visual Illusions Are Confounded.

Psychological science·2021

Same author

Mental Health, Mitochondria, and the Battle of the Sexes.

Biomedicines·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mechanisms of Stress Resilience - Significant Findings, Advancements, and Future Research

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mechanisms of Stress Resilience - Significant Findings, Advancements, and Future Research

Published on: December 15, 2023

Infection threat shapes our social instincts.

Peter Kramer¹, Paola Bressan¹

¹Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale, Università di Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padua, Italy.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

|February 15, 2021

Summary

Humans possess a behavioral immune system that influences social interactions and group dynamics to prevent disease spread. This system impacts mate choice, intergroup hostility, and even moral beliefs, especially during pandemics.

Keywords:

Behavioral immune system Disgust Infectious disease Ingroup/outgroup Oxytocin Public health

More Related Videos

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

Published on: October 12, 2018

The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress

The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress

Published on: July 4, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mechanisms of Stress Resilience - Significant Findings, Advancements, and Future Research

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mechanisms of Stress Resilience - Significant Findings, Advancements, and Future Research

Published on: December 15, 2023

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

Published on: October 12, 2018

The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress

The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress

Published on: July 4, 2013

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Psychology
Social Neuroscience
Behavioral Ecology

Background:

Social animals must balance infection avoidance with social interaction needs.
A behavioral immune system complements the physiological immune system to manage contagion risks.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the design and biological mechanisms of the human behavioral immune system.
To explore how infection threats shape sociality and vice versa.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on the behavioral immune system.
Analysis of how infection threat detection influences social behaviors, mate choice, and group dynamics.

Main Results:

Infection threat detection influences mate choice, sex life, and social bonding within groups.
The behavioral immune system promotes hostility towards perceived outsiders, impacting intergroup relations.
This system underpins moral and political views, intensifying during periods of high disease prevalence.

Conclusions:

The behavioral immune system is a critical evolved mechanism for managing disease in social species.
Pandemics can amplify behavioral immune responses, potentially threatening social cohesion and harmonious coexistence.