Perceived virulence of germs from a liked versus disliked source: evidence of magical contagion.
OBJECTIVE
This research tested the hypothesis that adolescents perceive germs and resulting illness to be more virulent when contracted from a disliked source than from a liked source.


METHODS
High school students rated their imagined illness from a disliked person and a friend. Independent judges rated students' drawings of germs from the disliked source and from the friend.


RESULTS
Students imagined their illness as more serious when contracted from a disliked source, and judges rated the germs from a disliked source as angrier and more threatening.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are discussed in terms of the role of "magical contagion" in reducing adolescents' perceived vulnerability to consequences of their risk-taking behavior.
Sullivan
M L
ML
Paoli Junior-Senior High School, Hanover College, IN 47243, USA.
Terry
R L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012803:Sick Role; D014774:Virulence