The Eight Properties of Contagion
The entity producing the contagion is the source. The entity that has changed as a result of contact with the source is the target. The entity that intermediates between them is the medium. Once contagion has been transmitted, it is resistant to purification. Indeed, the target may be permanently changed.
Source: Sympathetic Magic
From Nemeroff and Rozin’s Cultural Psychology framework, eight properties of contagion: (1) Physical contact necessary; (2) Permanence — resistant to purification; (3) Dose insensitivity — minimal contact = substantial effect; (4) Negativity dominance — drop of sewage ruins barrel of wine; (5) Backward contagion — can reverse cause-and-effect; (6) Late onset — grown INTO, not out of; (7) Universality; (8) Multiple models (physical, residual, spiritual/mana, symbolic).