1
Aim
to investigate whether disgust is an evolutionary trait
2
Method
Survey method; a self-selected sample of 77,000 participants from 165 countries who completed an online survey
3
Procedures
Participants were first asked a series of demographic questions
They were then asked to rate 20 photos for their level of disgust on a scale of 1-5.
- within the 20 photos were 7 pairs where one was infectious or harmful to the immune system and the other was similar, but not infectious
4
Results
- Disgust reaction was strongest for images that threatened the immune system
- Women have higher disgust reactions that men
- Feelings o disgust decreased with age
5
Conclusion
Supports the idea that disgust evolved as a response to reduce the risk of disease
Also supports the role of disgust in aiding reproduction and thus an evolutionary behavior