Pregnant women Quote by Kathleen McAuliffe
““The recently ill display similar biases, possibly, Schaller theorizes, because their immune systems may still be run-down, so their minds compensate by ratcheting up behavioral defenses. In support of that contention, he points to a provocative study by evolutionary biologist Daniel Fessler and colleagues, who showed that pregnant women become more xenophobic in the first trimester, when their immune systems are suppressed to prevent rejection of the fetus, but not in later stages of gestation, when that danger has passed.””
About This Quote
Source Journal Article: Evolutionary Psychology Review, 2020
When immune function drops, people may become more defensive and xenophobic, as seen in pregnancy and illness, because the brain compensates for perceived vulnerability.
In simple terms: Weak immunity can trigger heightened social defenses.
Key Takeaway
Recognize health‑related bias in attitudes.
Themes
health
psychology
prejudice
evolutionary biology
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
scientific
reflective
When to use this quote
- hospital settings
- pregnancy counseling
- public health messaging
- stressful environments
Key Concepts
immune response
behavioral adaptation
social cognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How might stress, not immunity, drive xenophobia?
- Can awareness reduce defensive attitudes?
A Different Perspective
Bias may be overstated; cultural factors also shape prejudice.
