Is psychology suffering from an epidemic of “contagion”? Moving from metaphors to theoretically derived concepts and methods in the study of social influences

Bibliographic Data

ID20400930
AuthorsThomas A Kindermann (0000-0003-4546-9649, Portland State University, corresponding author), Ellen A Skinner (0000-0002-1111-229X, Portland State University)
Year2019
Volume29
Issue6
Pages739-756
Publication date2019-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTheory & Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0959-3543 • E-ISSN: 1461-7447
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0959354319857154
OpenAlexW2954595212
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited27

The term “contagion” has become increasingly popular as an omnibus catch-all to depict all kinds of mutual influences between people of equal status (or “peers”). We argue that some of these influences may qualify as “contagion,” but others denote alternative processes better described, for example, as exchange, transactions, or diffusion. To transform the term contagion from a loose metaphor to a precise and empirically useful concept, we propose that the paradigmatic case of contagious diseases can be used to identify multiple criteria that a social process must meet in order to qualify as contagion. Based on these essential elements, we describe the developmental signature of contagion, contrast contagion pathways with other temporal pathways of influence, and highlight empirical strategies needed to detect contagion. Finally, we conclude that interpretations about the nature of social influences and their labels should follow from (and not precede) empirical identification of the specific mechanisms that orchestrate transmission

Cognitive psychology · Economics · Emotional contagion · Financial contagion · Financial crisis · Metaphor · Community Health and Development · Computer Science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Cultural Differences and Values · Psychology · Social Psychology

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