Perceived Virulence of Germs From a Liked Versus Disliked Source: Evidence of Magical Contagion

Purpose: 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.