Disgust is an emotion that people experience on a regular basis and one that scientists are keen to understand. There are a number of scientists who are conducting research into this emotion to work out what triggers it, where and why it occurs, and how it affects people’s behaviors and decisions. Through their research, they have come to a conclusion that disgust is based in eating and so has an evolutionary function. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at some of the scientists who study disgust and what they have discovered.
What is Disgust?
Disgust is an emotional response that people have to certain stimuli. It is a feeling of revulsion or aversion, usually towards something that is perceived to be distasteful, unhygienic, or offensive. It is important to note that disgust can encompass physical, emotional, and mental responses, so it is not just a one-dimensional emotion.
Who Studies Disgust?
There are a number of prominent scientists who are researching and exploring the emotion of disgust. These include:
• Paul Rozin – Paul Rozin is an American academic who is the Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is known for his work in the domain of behavioral psychology, including his research into disgust and its evolutionary function. Rozin was one of the first to propose that disgust is based in eating and as such has an evolutionary purpose.
• Matthew Feinberg – Matthew Feinberg is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at the University of Toronto and holds the roles of Director of Research for the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, and Research Fellow for the Center For Advanced Hindsight at Duke University. Feinberg’s research interests are in the fields of social and moral psychology, and he has conducted extensive research into the emotion of disgust.
• Valerie Curtis – Valerie Curtis is a Professor in the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Centre for Behaviour Change. Her expertise is in public health and her research focuses on behavior change that leads to improved hygiene and sanitation. Most notably, she has conducted research into disgust and the influence it has on human behavior.
• David Resnik – David Resnik is an American bioethicist and is currently the Bioethics Program Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Having studied philosophy, psychology, and medicine, his research focuses on the ethical implications of biology and medicine. As such, Resnik has conducted extensive research into disgust and morality.
What Have Scientists Discovered About Disgust?
Over the years, scientists have conducted a great deal of research into disgust and have made a number of interesting discoveries. Here are some of the most important findings:
• Disgust Is Influence By Learned Cultural Factors – It is believed that disgust is triggered by learned cultural factors rather than innate factors. This means that people learn to be disgusted by certain things, such as particular types of food, animals, or activities, rather than simply feeling revulsion instinctively.
• Disgust Can Help to Preserve Health and Safety –Scientists have discovered that the feeling of disgust can serve an important purpose in preserving health and safety. This is because it helps people to recognize and avoid potential physical and psychological risks.
• Disgust Is Based in Eating – A key discovery made by scientists is that disgust is based in eating. As such, it has an evolutionary function of helping people to avoid potentially hazardous foods. This may explain why some people have a strong reaction to the idea of eating certain foods, despite not having tasted them before.
• Disgust Can Lead to Unhelpful Behaviors – Scientists have found that the emotion of disgust can lead to unhelpful behaviors, such as the rejection of foods or people. This can be detrimental to relationships, as well as physical health, as people may avoid certain foods that could provide essential nutrients.
• Disgust Is Related to Moral Judgements – Scientists have also established a link between disgust and moral judgements. This suggests that people view certain things as morally wrong and unacceptable, and this feeling of revulsion or aversion is a direct result of that judgement.
A number of prominent scientists have conducted research into disgust and have made some interesting discoveries. Most notably, it has been established that the emotion is based in eating and is largely influenced by learned cultural factors. It is believed that the experience of disgust plays an evolutionary role in helping people to recognize and avoid potential physical and psychological risks and is linked to moral judgements.
