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Updated: Nov 17, 2025

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
From washing hands to washing consciences and polishing reputations
Matthieu Légeret1, Ulrich Hoffrage1
1Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC), University of Lausanne, CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland. matthieu.legeret@unil.ch; ulrich.hoffrage@unil.ch https://hecnet.unil.ch/hec/recherche/fiche?pnom=mlegeret&dyn_lang=enhttps://hecnet.unil.ch/hec/recherche/fiche?pnom=uhoffrage&dyn_lang=en.
Abstract:
While Lee and Schwarz propose grounded procedures of separation as an explanation for physical cleansing in various domains (e.g., washing one's hands), we suggest that separation can also account for behavioral cleansing aimed at washing consciences and polishing reputations. We discuss this extension in terms of degrees of behavioral cleansing, motivations, and intentions behind cleansing, and social settings.
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