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Pathogen avoidance versus anger: the motivation underlying Asian hate.
Amy J Lim1, Nicole F Ko2, Jose Yong3
1Murdoch University.
The Journal of Social Psychology
|April 26, 2026
Summary
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, anger, not pathogen avoidance, drove discriminatory and aggressive behaviors against Asian individuals. This study uncovers the true motives behind pandemic-related anti-Asian antagonism.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Reports indicate increased discrimination and violence against Asian individuals in the US and Western Europe post-COVID-19.
- Antagonism towards Asians appears contradictory to pathogen avoidance, as attacks involve close contact, increasing infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying motives for antagonism against individuals of Asian descent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To address the contradiction between apparent pathogen avoidance and discriminatory actions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized principles of pathogen avoidance and intergroup behavior theories.
- Analyzed predictors of discriminatory and aggressive behaviors against individuals of Asian descent.
Main Results:
- Both pathogen avoidance and anger predicted discriminatory behaviors against Asians.
- Anger emerged as a stronger predictor of discrimination than pathogen avoidance.
- Anger, specifically, predicted aggressive discrimination, while pathogen avoidance did not.
Conclusions:
- Anger is a significant driver of discriminatory and aggressive behaviors targeting individuals of Asian descent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Pathogen avoidance alone does not adequately explain the observed antagonism.
- Findings highlight the complex interplay of emotions and social dynamics in pandemic-related prejudice.
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