I distinguish between three relevant claims regarding its involvement in moral cognition and argue that the least appealing (i.e., disgust is just anger in disguise) is also the one with the least empirical support.

Disgust In: Lewis, M. and Haviland, J. eds. Posted Sep 30, 2010 . Nevertheless, in order to avoid this, several studies made use of endorsements of facial expressions as an aid or substitute of the usual verbal self-report (e.g., Chapman et al., 2009). Hiding from humanity: Disgust, shame, and the law. author = "Case, {Trevor I.}

The three forms are as follows: (a) disgust increases the severity of moral judgments, (b) individual differences in the propensity to experience disgust are connected with fluctuation in moral cognition, and (c) disgust cannot be differentiated from anger towards reporting moral transgressions. Because no other emotions were examined, it cannot be concluded that there is a particular association between disgust and moral judgments when hypnosis is used (Wheatley & Haidt, 2005). This could imply that moral disgust can be understood as being a specialized development of physical disgust produced to play a social rather than a disease avoidance role (Chapman & Anderson, 2013). Schnall, Haidt, Clore, and Jordan (2008) investigated how different ways of inducing disgust can influence moral judgments in an attempt to replicate, at a conceptual level, Wheatley and Haidt’s (2005) study.

Clearly, none of these perceived moral offenses harm anyone.

The author wishes to thank Åse Innes-Ker, PhD, Assistant Professor for helping and supporting me in writing this paper. Physically disgusting violations might have been more easily influenced by disgust in a greater part of the population (Schnall et al., 2008).

For example, some of the studies that were included in Claim 1 could very well support or not support, to some degree, Claim 3, or some of them (e.g., Horberg et al., 2009) could be representative for all three claims. Journal of European Psychology Students, vol.

Furthermore, there has been a growing body of research agreeing that disgust plays a role in moral judgments. The behavioral immune system: Its evolution and social psychological implications In: Forgas, J. P., Haselton, M. G. and von Hippel, W. eds. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34(8), 1096-1109. In accordance with the link between disgust and prejudice, the most extreme out-groups have also been identified to elicit lower levels of brain activation in the regions connected with person-processing (i.e., those associated with ‘self’ and ‘other’ judgments; Seger, Stone, & Keenan, 2004) and not only self-reported disgust (Harris & Fiske, 2006). After reading a fictitious copy of a murder trial, individuals with greater disgust sensitivity were more likely to give convictions. Powered by Pure, Scopus & Elsevier Fingerprint Engine™ © 2020 Elsevier B.V. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content. Jones, A. and Fitness, J. Constants across cultures in the face and emotion. In recent years, a great deal of psychological research has highlighted the powerful role emotions play in shaping our attitudes and judgments. You should receive an email confirmation shortly.We will send you an email reminder before the show begins.You may request additional reminders for other times if you wish. In comparison to anger, unfair offers triggered a greater self-reported disgust. (2005). New York, NY: Guilford Press, 3rd pp. Nevertheless, as Chapman and Anderson (2013) pointed out, the validity and reliability of the measure of trait disgust used by Horberg et al. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 103(3): 495–505, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.103.3.495, Russell, P. S. and Giner-Sorolla, R. (2011a).

One potential explanation could be that disgust is considered an avoidance-motivated and distancing emotion; whereas anger is considered more of an approach-motivated and reactive emotion (Mackie, Devos, & Smith, 2000; Russell & Giner-Sorolla, 2011a; Ugazio et al., 2012).

You may need to take additional steps to add the event to your personal calendar. You Are Not Objective, The Real Reason People Think Promiscuity Is Wrong. Psychological Review 94(1): 23–41, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.1.23.