Disgust sensivity infl uences affective experience: A vulnerability factor?
Marianna Munafò, Michela Sarlo
Disgust sensitivity infl uences affective rating of disgust-eliciting stimuli both in specifi cs phobics and
control participants. The aim of this study was to investigate if disgust sensitivity only modulates
ratings of repulsive stimuli or if it extends to other stimulus categories. Thirty-nine students, divided
into two groups with high and low disgust sensitivity, viewed 48 standardized pictures (Threat,
Neutral, Disgust/Blood e Disgust/Body products). Subjects were asked to rate valence (degree of
pleasantness/unpleasantness), arousal (degree of calm/activation) and the intensity of six basic
emotional states they had experienced during picture viewing. Regardless of trait anxiety level
and stimulus category, high disgust sensitivity group rated pictures not only as more disgusting
but also more unpleasant, arousing, fearful, sad and surprising than the low disgust sensitivity
group. Therefore, disgust sensitivity not only enforces the disgust response to repulsive stimuli
but it modulates entire emotional experience, including non disgusting stimuli (threatening and
neutral ones). Such trait variable proves to be a vulnerability factor for the development of anxiety
disorders.
Keywords
Disgust sensitivity, valence, arousal, basic emotions, emotional pictures.
