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Updated: Oct 4, 2025
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Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm
Published on: October 3, 2020
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Control over pathogen exposure and basal immunological activity influence disgust and pathogen-avoidance motivation
Hannah Bradshaw1, Jeff Gassen2, Marjorie Prokosch3
1Department of Psychology, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, USA.
Cognition & Emotion
|February 9, 2022
Summary
Individuals with less control over pathogen exposure rely less on disgust for pathogen avoidance and more on immune system management. These strategies are inversely related, highlighting a trade-off in protective behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Immunology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Disgust and immune responses protect against illness.
- Factors influencing the balance between pathogen avoidance (disgust) and pathogen management (immune activity) are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how perceived control over pathogen exposure influences disgust sensitivity and immune system activity.
- To examine the trade-off between pathogen avoidance and pathogen management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Four studies were conducted using various manipulations and measures.
- Participants' perceived control over pathogen contact was manipulated.
- Disgust sensitivity and immune system activity were assessed.
Main Results:
- Individuals from low-control environments showed reduced investment in pathogen-avoidance strategies.
- Investment in pathogen avoidance and pathogen management occurred in a compensatory manner, indicating a trade-off.
Conclusions:
- Perceived control significantly influences the balance between disgust-based avoidance and immune-based management of pathogens.
- Understanding this trade-off offers novel insights into disgust, pathogen avoidance, and immune system functioning.
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