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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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37

Revolted? You May Be Conservative

Studies suggest those on right have weaker stomachs

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(Newser) – Those easily repulsed by a creepy bug or bloody scene may lean to the right, new studies suggest. People who are easily grossed out are particularly likely to take conservative stances on homosexuality, LiveScience reports. Surveys using scales for “Disgust Sensitivity” and political ideology helped researchers draw the conclusions; they also used the scale in conjunction with questions on issues like gay marriage, abortion, and gun control.

Those with higher disgust sensitivity more often opposed gay marriage and abortion. In another study using “implicit measures”—testing for opinions people may not state—the same head researcher found higher disgust sensitivity was associated with disapproval of gays. The Cornell professor says conservatives may believe disgust justifies calling an action immoral; liberals look for “actual harm” before deeming something wrong.

A Cornell researcher used a disgust scale alongside a political ideology scale in his study.
A Cornell researcher used a disgust scale alongside a political ideology scale in his study.   (Shutterstock)
Easily disgusted test subjects more often opposed gay marriage and abortion.
Easily disgusted test subjects more often opposed gay marriage and abortion.   (Shutterstock)
The squeamish are more likely to be conservative, studies suggest.
The squeamish are more likely to be conservative, studies suggest.   (Shutterstock)
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37 comments
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Nagual
Jun 5, 09 2:13 PM CDT
Oh the indignation.. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Reader82151092
Jun 6, 09 7:38 AM CDT
Hardly surprising. Martha Nussbaum cites the emotion of disgust as fundamental to dehumanization. Disgust represents revolt against ones own biological nature, human weakness and mortality. So of course, that disgust is projected outwards on various scapegoats - races and groups which are defined as somehow less human and thus become vessels for all that we wish to deny in ourselves. That's almost the conservative mission statement. Find a group to demonize - gays, welfare mothers, dangerous young black men, etc. and exploit those anxieties. Of course someone more inclined towards disgust will be more likely to be conservative. Primal disgust is the foundation of their powerbase. REPLY
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+8
NutsInNY
Jun 5, 09 2:16 PM CDT
I wonder if anyone will say anything funny. Reply
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-3
IN RESPONSE:
paul123
Jun 5, 09 2:29 PM CDT
does this worthless and flawed news piece count?
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-6
AnnieChrist
Jun 5, 09 2:49 PM CDT
Yet conservatives don't find limpbo, cheney, bush, tancredo, hannity, o'rally, strom thurmond, jesse helms, newt, et al revolting. Reply
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+4

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