Disgusted? Then You Might Be a Conservative

Ronald Bailey | June 8, 2009

Cornell University psychologist David Pizarro and his colleagues have just published a study in the journal Cognition and Emotion that finds a correlation between being easily disgusted and some attitudes associated with politlcal conservatism. As the Washington Post reports (scroll down) Pizarro:

 ... surveyed 181 adults from four politically mixed swing states to assess their general political leanings and their propensity to be disgusted by things such as maggots, feces and vomit. Those who were more likely to be grossed out tended to be more politically conservative, the researchers report in the journal Cognition & Emotion.

To test whether disgust sensitivity was associated with specific conservative ideas, the researchers then surveyed 91 Cornell undergraduates to test how sensitive they were to being grossed out and asked about their attitudes on same-sex marriage, abortion, gun control, labor unions, tax cuts, affirmative action and other issues.

Those who were most easily disgusted were more likely to oppose same-sex marriage and abortion and were somewhat more likely to support tax cuts. But there was no link to views on other policy issues.

In another study published in the journal, Pizarro and his colleagues found that those who were most easily disgusted were more likely to react negatively to homosexual behavior, such as two men kissing.

Interestingly, this falls in line with bioconservative Leon Kass' famous New Republic article in which he argued for "The Wisdom of Repugnance" in opposing human cloning research. The good news is that a lot of things that used to provoke the "yuck factor" in sizeable proportions of the American public, e.g., in vitro fertilization and homosexual sex, have become more acceptable over time.

Comments

I adblocked that image.|6.8.09 @ 11:55AM|#

I might be a conservative.

robc|6.8.09 @ 11:56AM|#

The good bad news is that a lot of things that used to provoke the "yuck factor" in sizeable proportions of the American public, e.g., in vitro fertilization and homosexual sex income taxation and prohibition, have become more acceptable over time.

Another view.

Fascitis Necrotizante|6.8.09 @ 12:02PM|#

A few weeks ago I took an online survey associated with some university that was supposed to study this same relationship between disgust/tolerance and political attitudes. (Would link but I don't remember where I saw it). I gave up after 20 (of hundreds) of questions as they were all incredibly murky (does X extremely vague generalization bother you? what bout Y?). Don't have time to RTFA but these kinds of studies usually set off my b.s. meter.

|6.8.09 @ 12:02PM|#

robc: Don't despair completely. In re prohibition, some polls show that most Americans now favor pot legalization.

Maybe there is only so much liberty that the public can stand at any one time, so when one area of society becomes freer another must be limited.

Warty|6.8.09 @ 12:14PM|#

Let's get us some trucks and some ropes and have us a good old-fashioned fag drag!

|6.8.09 @ 12:14PM|#

This doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense to me. Most of the people that I've ever met who were comfortable being up to their elbows in the gut cavity of a deer or cleaning fish are conservative as hell. The average city-boy liberal that you run into would be mortified by such things.

bubba|6.8.09 @ 12:16PM|#

As noted with the fish guts example, I think it's mostly nurture, not nature.

KT|6.8.09 @ 12:18PM|#

Yes, perhaps which things we find disgusting say more about us than whether we get disgusted period.

The Extispicator|6.8.09 @ 12:18PM|#

maggots, feces, and vomit

Aren't those the three branches of the federal government? They sure gross me out.

JLM|6.8.09 @ 12:19PM|#

That is an insulting thing to say about maggots.

Brandon|6.8.09 @ 12:24PM|#

A few weeks ago I took an online survey associated with some university that was supposed to study this same relationship between disgust/tolerance and political attitudes. (Would link but I don't remember where I saw it). I gave up after 20 (of hundreds) of questions as they were all incredibly murky (does X extremely vague generalization bother you? what bout Y?). Don't have time to RTFA but these kinds of studies usually set off my b.s. meter.

I took a similar though shorter quiz and found that

TickleStick|6.8.09 @ 12:30PM|#

"Yes, perhaps which things we find disgusting say more about us than whether we get disgusted period."

I'm a conservative and yet the entrails are the only part of the fish I will eat.

Brandon|6.8.09 @ 12:32PM|#

Oops. I took a similar though shorter quiz and found that almost nothing listed disgusted me. Which was surprising because bugs freak me out and I have to turn away from footage of athletes breaking legs and the like. Guess I'm not as dainty as I thought.

|6.8.09 @ 12:35PM|#

To test whether disgust sensitivity was associated with specific conservative ideas, the researchers then surveyed 91 Cornell undergraduates to test how sensitive they were to being grossed out and asked about their attitudes on same-sex marriage, abortion, gun control, labor unions, tax cuts, affirmative action and other issues.

And if they tested for SUV's, red meat, genetically modified food, and Walmart, maybe they'd find out if sensitivity was associated with specific emo liberal ideas.

|6.8.09 @ 12:36PM|#

I've always found the image of two men kissing to be kinda icky, especially if one or both have facial hair. If one has the other's schlong in his mouth or ass...doesn't bother me a bit. And I don't care what anybody does in a consensual manner - even something stupid like marriage. It's just that kissing thing that makes me go "ewe". But, I've noticed very liberal women do not want to have anything close to a vivid discussion of sodomy. They support the concept of "gay is OK", but they cannot stand even the thought of the actual details. Maybe they lack confidence in themselves and are afraid the men do it better than they do.

ed|6.8.09 @ 12:45PM|#

It's easy to overthink this. Most guys have no problem seeing two women kiss. But two guys? Not so much. The startling conclusion: they must be...heterosexuals!

Elemenope|6.8.09 @ 12:48PM|#

And if they tested for SUV's, red meat, genetically modified food, and Walmart, maybe they'd find out if sensitivity was associated with specific emo liberal ideas.

Probably. The left-right axis is just two sides of the same bitchy-whiny coin.

|6.8.09 @ 12:54PM|#

I like the way
"disgusted by things such as maggots, feces and vomit"
is placed adjacent to a photo of two guys kissing.
What do you call a trifecta plus one, a quadifecta?

alan|6.8.09 @ 12:59PM|#

So, reading between the lines this article is saying that liberals play with their own poo. Well, that is just mean.

BTW, I went to see the South Park movie with a homosexual guy I worked with back in the day, during the Saddam/Satan/LightsOut! scene, I turned to him to see his reaction, he was cringing as much as I was.

|6.8.09 @ 1:01PM|#

How come they didn't test the reaction to two hot, naked women kissing?

Yes, I'm being serious. I suspect that would upset their results.

|6.8.09 @ 1:03PM|#

Also, keep in mind they're asking for the subject's opinion of whether he or she was grossed out, not measuring it in some independent way. My guess is, most gay marriage supporters would be loath to admit they were sickened by a picture of two men kissing, even if they were sickened by it.

BeesInTheBrain|6.8.09 @ 1:03PM|#

In a related turn of events. I an effort to better understand the political leanings of those nominated for the Supreme Court, the senate has passed the new Judicial Reflexology Resolution. This resolution, which is being haled as cutting edge and based upon a new understanding of the human psyche, will requiring anyone being nominated for the Supreme Court view Two Girls One Cup so their reaction can be observed.

TickleStick|6.8.09 @ 1:08PM|#

"Most guys have no problem seeing two women kiss"

Porn lesbians just lick each other's tongues.

And why ANYONE, male or female, would want to make-out with a guy is a mystery to me.

|6.8.09 @ 1:09PM|#

and the tolerant liberals are not so easily disgusted by things such as public displays of religiosity and politically incorrect speech patterns. sounds like one of those studies that compare conservatives to hitler. GMAFB

Robert|6.8.09 @ 1:16PM|#

Didn't this or something like it come out about 3 yrs. ago?

|6.8.09 @ 1:18PM|#

It's really depressing that most people can't distinguish between what they're personally comfortable with and what should be legal. I'll admit that, despite being totally supportive of gay rights and having several close friends who are gay, a part of me is still weirded out when I see two men kiss. Of course, I also realize that I would be uncomfortable watching two really old people make out, but I'm not about to support the criminalization of Viagra.

Scott|6.8.09 @ 1:22PM|#

I can think of a number of straight couples, the thought of whom having sex invokes a gag reflex.

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley, for one.

|6.8.09 @ 1:35PM|#

I can think of a number of straight couples, the thought of whom having sex invokes a gag reflex.

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley anyone, for one.

Fixed.

Artavazd Papazian Odadjian-Gor|6.8.09 @ 1:40PM|#

It's really depressing that most people can't distinguish between what they're personally comfortable with and what should be legal.

QFT.

T|6.8.09 @ 1:52PM|#

Generally speaking, I'm not disgusted by much until it comes in contact with my tender pink epidermis. Feces, maggots, and vomit? Cool, right until I get some on me. Same thing with other people (of any gender) sucking face. Have at, but keep your bodily fluids away from me.

Very few people are capable of distinguishing between their personal likes/dislikes and what makes good public policy. Go to small town city council meetings sometime for an object lesson in this phenomenon. People want something done about, i.e. a law against, some of the stupidest crap. The baggy pants laws are a great example.

Gilbert Martin|6.8.09 @ 2:12PM|#

"Cornell University psychologist David Pizarro and his colleagues have just published a study..."

What we need is a study of the characteristics of "researchers" who seem to constantly have a need to concoct "studies" that proclaim people to have differing traits based on political beliefs.

Scott|6.8.09 @ 2:24PM|#

Thank you, Seamus.

ellipsis|6.8.09 @ 2:30PM|#

I'm guessing those who were easily disgusted at the sight of a gun got a free pass. Because that's a good kind of easily disgusted. %|

wingnutx|6.8.09 @ 2:32PM|#

I'm a Goldwater type, and I'd much rather see those 2 guys necking than Al & Tipper.

That was truly cringe-inducing.

I think a great indication of one's place in the political spectrum is not if one gets disgusted by a thing, it is whether or not they want to legally sanction that thing just because it creeps them out.

The modern version of conservatives and liberals are both generally of the "there oughta be a law" persuasion.

|6.8.09 @ 2:44PM|#

I also frame my viewpoint starting at the liberal mode. But what happens if certain liberties really do soften a society or culture? Let's say we go full-on libertarian and have freedom in all matters sexual, drug related, etc. Then let us assume that this weakens our stereotypically "moral fiber" such that we lack the backbone to stand up against a tyrannical government.

This line or reasoning and questioning that defines the conservative viewpoint should at least be considered carefully before we all blindly wrap ourselves inside Hayek and ask for the freedom to smoke dope and allow for legal homosexual marriage.

Bingo|6.8.09 @ 2:52PM|#

This line or reasoning and questioning that defines the conservative viewpoint should at least be considered carefully before we all blindly wrap ourselves inside Hayek and ask for the freedom to smoke dope and allow for legal homosexual marriage.

Yeah, if you believe deep down that we need to regulate consenting behavior among adults then that is true. It also means that you are not a libertarian.

JB|6.8.09 @ 3:05PM|#

I went to a similar online study and was not very impressed: www.yourmorals.org

The questions are simplistic and they don't ask enough of them or have enough gradients.

|6.8.09 @ 3:24PM|#

Then let us assume that this weakens our stereotypically "moral fiber" such that we lack the backbone to stand up against a tyrannical government.

I really don't see any basis for that assumption. Being free = not willing to resist tyranny?

Scott66|6.8.09 @ 3:31PM|#

"But what happens if certain liberties really do soften a society or culture?"

I do not think that would be a problem as long as we make people responsible for their choices. In other words, no nanny state to bail them out. Some would suffer for their choices but most,I think, would thrive.

TickleStick|6.8.09 @ 3:36PM|#

"But what happens if certain liberties really do soften a society or culture?"

If smoking weed and fucking were bad for society, there'd be no society. People have been smoking weed and fucking for thousands of years irrespective of any civil codes.

BTW What ever happened to High Every Boby?

Robert|6.8.09 @ 3:52PM|#

I think a great indication of one's place in the political spectrum is not if one gets disgusted by a thing, it is whether or not they want to legally sanction that thing just because it creeps them out.

That's not an indication of where you are, that is where you are. The question being addressed is why people have the ideas they do.

|6.8.09 @ 4:37PM|#

maggots, feces and vomit

So liberals are not disgusted by those things? That explains an awful lot.

|6.8.09 @ 4:47PM|#

It's easy to overthink this. Most guys have no problem seeing two women kiss. But two guys? Not so much. The startling conclusion: they must be...heterosexuals!

While I think there is some merit to this research (it's been done more than once), I tend to agree with the above. Being a gay man the sight of two men kissing is the most natural thing in the world to me. However, no matter how many times I'm forced to look, I will never see a vagina as anything but a disgusting creature from outer space. However, watching lesbians kiss doesn't evoke disgust so much as neutrality. Sort of like cats humping.

MNG|6.8.09 @ 5:02PM|#

"Sort of like cats humping."

Pussy on pussy, as it were.

MNG|6.8.09 @ 5:04PM|#

If the study had a picture of an employer being prevented from employing an eight year old to clean chimneys, libertarians would have been disgusted.

"That's fucking sick man!"

|6.8.09 @ 5:27PM|#

" I will never see a vagina as anything but a disgusting creature from outer space"

Just close your eyes and enjoy the ride.

Chad|6.8.09 @ 5:30PM|#

This article reminds me of a point I like to bring up sometimes: what if homophobia is genetic?

From my experience, the "yuck" factor is quite strong for most heterosexual men when they see male/male homosexual behavior. This seems to be true even among left-leaning, pro-gay-agenda types who were raised in non-homophobic environments. I think it is quite likely that homophobia has some very deep roots in our psyche and need not be a learned behavior, just like homosexuality. What a conundrum that makes.

JLM|6.8.09 @ 5:33PM|#

".........a vagina as anything but a disgusting creature from outer space"

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!!

|6.8.09 @ 5:38PM|#

If the study had a picture of an employer being prevented from employing an eight year old to clean chimneys, libertarians would have been disgusted.

If the picture was of a bunch of pompous, paid-for legislators bloviating about Protecting Teh Children, then, yes, I probably would have felt nauseous.

|6.8.09 @ 5:51PM|#

Chad,

I find that the most openly homophobic men become markedly less so once you plow them with enough booze. A lot of homophobia is pure posturing. And a lot if not all of it, I think, is more a variation on misogyny. After all, in all-male environments gay sex is not looked down upon unless you're the receiver. And a lot of the knee-jerk disgust is at effeminate behavior. Men acting like women seems to be the most offensive thing to a lot of homophobes.

|6.8.09 @ 6:37PM|#

I will never see a vagina as anything but a disgusting creature from outer space.

|6.8.09 @ 6:40PM|#

I will never see a vagina as anything but a disgusting creature from outer space.

What really disgusts me is my damned browser posting before I'm ready! Anyway, I was going to make a quip about weird freaky lady lips, but it's pointless now after that mispost. Sigh.

|6.8.09 @ 7:07PM|#

There's been plenty of studies correlating homophobia with latent homosexuality. That's where most of the "posturing" comes about, trying to deflect attention from their own faggoty desires.

|6.8.09 @ 8:13PM|#

Feel free to count me as a disgusted conservative.

|6.8.09 @ 10:38PM|#

If I had seen myself being born I would probably have thrown up all over my mother's vagina. I nearly did so during our mandatory "emergency childbirth video" in high school Health class.

I had no idea that pregnant vaginas farted, to mention only one ipecacipotent revelation.

Artavazd Papazian Odadjian-Gor|6.8.09 @ 10:51PM|#

Tulpa,

Your mom was in your high school health class?

zoltan|6.8.09 @ 11:43PM|#

And naked, too.

Mike|6.9.09 @ 12:04AM|#

"Those who were most easily disgusted were more likely to oppose same-sex marriage and abortion and were somewhat more likely to support tax cuts. But there was no link to views on other policy issues."

So in other words, disgust has a strong correlation with social conservatism, but almost no correlation with Reaganite strong military/low govermnent spending conservatism.

Whenever studies like this about "conservatives" come out, what you are rarely told is that the study defines conservatism only based on social issues.

MJ|6.9.09 @ 7:18AM|#

Another study demostrating the facile politicization of the soft sciences.

"The good news is that a lot of things that used to provoke the "yuck factor" in sizeable proportions of the American public, e.g., in vitro fertilization and homosexual sex, have become more acceptable over time."

Does that mean feces, maggots and vomit are also becoming more acceptable as well?