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

Impact of Individuals on Individuals

Impact of Individuals on Individuals

Human behavior is intricately shaped by social influences that arise from interactions with others in diverse contexts. These influences not only mold beliefs and attitudes but also drive the regulation of behaviors through both direct communication and observational learning. The study of these processes falls within the domain of social psychology, which seeks to understand how individuals are affected by and affect those around them.Mechanisms of Social InfluenceDirect social influence...

Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals

Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals

The actions and characteristics of others heavily influence the causes of social behaviors. Emotional expressions serve as powerful social signals, shaping behaviors and interactions in significant ways. Whether through direct observation or subconscious processing, individuals constantly adjust their responses based on the emotions and attributes of those around them.Emotional Cues and Social ResponsesFacial expressions, tone of voice, and body language provide crucial emotional cues that...

The Influence of Cognition on Affect

The Influence of Cognition on Affect

Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...

Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes

Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes

Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...

Role of Emotions in Social Life

Role of Emotions in Social Life

Emotions play a fundamental role in shaping human experience and interactions. The absence of emotions would render life incomplete and fail to capture the essence of human nature. In social psychology, feelings and moods have been extensively studied due to their profound impact on social life and interpersonal relationships. These affective states influence decision-making, behavior, and social perceptions, making them integral to understanding human interactions.Emotions and Social...

Social Psychology and Individual Behavior

Social Psychology and Individual Behavior

Social psychology examines how group dynamics, emotions, and cultural influences shape individual actions and decision-making. These elements interact to form behavioral patterns that affect personal choices and social interactions.The Role of Group DynamicsGroups play a crucial role in shaping behavior by reinforcing norms and expectations. Individuals derive a sense of self from group membership, often aligning their behaviors with group norms to maintain social cohesion. For example, an...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Harnessing citizen science to contextualize adaptation mechanism discovery.

Cell·2026

Same author

The Role of Egalitarian Ideology in System-Challenging Collective Action Among Members of Dominant and Marginalized Racial Groups.

Personality & social psychology bulletin·2026

Same author

Resource Possession in the Mind's Eye: Ideological Convergence and Divergence in the Perceptions of Poor People.

Personality & social psychology bulletin·2025

Same author

Innovations in non-flammable and flame-retardant electrolytes for safer lithium-ion batteries.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2025

Same author

Flaunting Porsches or Paris? Comparing the Social Signaling Value of Experiential and Material Conspicuous Consumption.

Personality & social psychology bulletin·2025

Same author

I see sick people: Beliefs about sensory detection of infectious disease are largely consistent across cultures.

Brain, behavior, and immunity·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

Keep your distance: Different roles for knowledge and affect in predicting social distancing behavior.

Soyeon Choi¹, Wilson N Merrell¹, Joshua M Ackerman¹

¹University of Michigan, USA.

Journal of Health Psychology

|January 7, 2022

Summary

Social distancing behavior during COVID-19 was influenced by knowledge and threat perception. Students’ distancing increased with knowledge over time, while community members’ distancing depended on both knowledge and threat.

Keywords:

COVID-19 affect knowledge risk perception social distancing

More Related Videos

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors

Published on: February 25, 2011

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors

Published on: February 25, 2011

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

Area of Science:

Behavioral Science
Public Health
Epidemiology

Background:

Understanding social distancing behavior is crucial for mitigating infectious disease spread.
Knowledge and affect (feelings) are key factors influencing risk perception and prevention behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine predictors of social distancing behavior in students and community members during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
To investigate the roles of knowledge and affect in social distancing across different populations and over time.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of social distancing behaviors.
Assessment of knowledge about COVID-19 and affective responses (threat perception).
Comparison of predictor variables between student and community samples.

Main Results:

Social distancing levels were similar between students and community members.
Student social distancing was predicted by threat perception, while community distancing was predicted by both knowledge and threat.
Over time, students became more informed about COVID-19, and increased knowledge predicted greater social distancing.

Conclusions:

Knowledge and threat perception uniquely predict social distancing in different populations.
Educational interventions to increase knowledge may enhance social distancing compliance, particularly among students.
Longitudinal data reveal that knowledge acquisition is a significant driver of sustained social distancing behavior.