TODO: Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

23-10-2017 | Original Article

The Effect of Germ Movement on the Construal of Mental States in Germs: The Moderating Role of Contamination Fear

Auteurs: John H. Riskind, Dylan K. Richards

Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Uitgave 1/2018

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

In two studies, we examined a novel relationship between movement and anthropomorphism—the attribution of human characteristics to nonhuman agents—in relation to germs. Furthermore, we examined whether individual differences in contamination fear and disgust proneness moderated the effect of movement on the tendency to anthropomorphize germs. Following an initial study that demonstrated associations between imagined germ movement, contamination fear, and the attribution of malevolent intentions to germs, we conducted a second study that experimentally manipulated germ movement with a brief film clip of magnified germs. The results of the second study showed that the experimental manipulation of germ movement increased attributions of malevolent intentions to germs and enhanced the tendencies of individuals with higher levels of contamination fear to attribute some general human characteristics to germs (i.e., intentions, feelings). These findings suggest that the attribution of malevolent intentions to germs may be a cognitive distortion that contributes to the maintenance of contamination fear, which may afford a novel treatment target. Perceived movement may serve as an antecedent to the attribution of malevolent intentions to germs and thus exacerbate the tendency to make these attributions.
Literatuur
Deze inhoud is alleen zichtbaar als je bent ingelogd en de juiste rechten hebt.
Metagegevens
Titel
The Effect of Germ Movement on the Construal of Mental States in Germs: The Moderating Role of Contamination Fear
Auteurs
John H. Riskind
Dylan K. Richards
Publicatiedatum
23-10-2017
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Cognitive Therapy and Research / Uitgave 1/2018
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-017-9877-2