Human behavior plays a large role in the spread of coronavirus. Behavioral scientists are therefore a unique resource for changing human behavior in ways that can reduce the spread, including social distancing, handwashing, and face touching. 

Reduce face touching

Research has shown that we touch our faces far more often than we may realize, about 23 times per hour, and this creates a major path for the spread of the infection. 

We live in a world filled with misinformation, myths, and misguided advice, often offered with good intentions but limited knowledge about the scientific evidence. The recommendations here on how to reduce face touching are based on what we know to be true from published studies, or in some cases on what we believe is extremely likely to be true, based on findings regarding similar behaviors (some of the references are listed at the end of this post).

The infographic is here and in different languages here if you would like to share it, and we hope that you do.

The Members of the Behavioral Science Response to COVID-19 Working Group

The recommendations detailed in the above infographic were made by the Behavioral Science Response to COVID-19 Working Group.

The Psychonomic Society initiated an effort that capitalizes on the extensive expertise in behavioral science within our membership and assembled this group (the Behavioral Science Response to COVID-19 Working Group). The goal of the group is to disseminate evidence-based recommendations in areas where behavioral science can make a positive contribution.

The members of the Behavioral Science Response to COVID-19 Working Group are experts in learning and behavior modification. The group is comprised of the following academics from institutions across North America:

• Kate Bruce
• Jonathon Crystal (Chair)
• Andy Delamater
• Wayne Fuqua
• Mark Galizio
• Megan Heinicke
• Debbie Kelly
• Olga Lazareva
• Amy Odum
• Danielle Panoz-Brown
• Penny Pexman
• Jim Pomerantz (Co-Chair)
• Suparna Rajaram
• Phil Reed
• Carole Van Camp
• Wendy Donlin Washington
• Doug Woods

References

The following are many of the references to the scientific papers that informed the above recommendations.

• Ellingson, S. A., Miltenberger, R. G., Stricker, J. M., Garlinghouse, M. A., Roberts, J., Galensky, T. L., & Rapp, J. T. (2000). Analysis and treatment of finger sucking. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33(1), 41-52. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2000.33-41
• Ghanizadeh, A., Bazrafshan, A., Firoozabadi, A., & Dehbozorgi, G. (2013). Habit reversal versus object manipulation training for treating nail biting: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 8(2), 61-67. PMCID: PMC3796295
• Long, E. S., Miltenberger, R. G., Ellingson, S. A., & Ott, S. M. (1999). Augmenting simplified habit reversal in the treatment of oral-digital habits exhibited by individuals with mental retardation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32(3), 353-365. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1999.32-353
• Miltenberger, R. G., Fuqua, R. W., & Woods, D. W. (1998). Applying behavior analysis to clinical problems: review and analysis of habit reversal. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31(3), 447-469. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1998.31-447
• Rapp, J. T., Miltenberger, R. G., & Long, E. S. (1998). Augmenting simplified habit reversal with an awareness enhancement device: preliminary findings. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31(4), 665-668. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1998.31-665
• Stricker, J. M., Miltenberger, R. G., Garlinghouse, M. A., Deaver, C. M., & Anderson, C. A. (2001). Evaluation of an awareness enhancement device for the treatment of thumb sucking in children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34(1), 77-80. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2001.34-77
• Twohig, M. P., & Woods, D. W. (2001). Evaluating the duration of the competing response in habit reversal: A parametric analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34(4), 517-520. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2001.34-517
• Woods, D. W., & Miltenberger, R. G. (1995). Habit reversal: A review of applications and variations. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 26(2), 123-131. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(95)00009-O
• Woods, D. W., Murray, L. K., Fuqua, R. W., Seif, T. A., Boyer, L. J., & Siah, A. (1999). Comparing the effectiveness of similar and dissimilar competing responses in evaluating the habit reversal treatment for oral–digital habits in children. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 30(4), 289-300. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7916(99)00031-2
• Zhang, C. Q., Leeming, E., Smith, P., Chung, P. K., Hagger, M. S., & Hayes, S. C. (2018). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Health Behavior Change: A Contextually-Driven Approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2350. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02350

Additional information

American Psychological Association