Modern Wisdom #290 - Dr Diana Fleischman - How Catching Covid Can Change Your Personality
Mar 4, 2021
Dr. Diana Fleischman, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Portsmouth, dives into how catching COVID-19 can change personality traits. She explains why illness alters behaviors, such as the aversion to new foods. They'll discuss how health impacts belief in free will and social dynamics, including reduced extroversion when sick. Diana also touches on the link between physical health and mental well-being, exploring long-term effects on anxiety and relationships post-illness, wrapped in an evolutionary psychology perspective.
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Pathogen Manipulation
- Viruses and bacteria manipulate host behavior for transmission.
- Hosts' priorities shift during infection, impacting personality.
Lassitude
- Lassitude, the emotion of sickness, optimizes behavior during illness.
- It conserves energy and encourages caregiving from others.
Food and Illness
- Don't force yourself to eat when sick; digestion uses energy.
- Prioritize familiar foods; new foods risk new pathogens.