Revolted? You May Be Conservative

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.
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