Perception of Tactile Disgust: The Role of Object Characteristics, Sensitivity to Different Disgust Subscales and Fear

Disgust plays a significant role in pathogen protection, with research highlighting the distinct contributions of various sensory modalities to the complex disgust reaction. In our study, 113 participants touched 6 hidden objects, rating their tactile disgust, fear, and object characteristics. Participants also completed the Disgust Scale-Revised, the Three Domains of Disgust Scale (Pathogen domain), and the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease questionnaire; a subsample completed the Culpepper Disgust Image Set. Results showed high correlation of measured tactile disgust with existing questionnaire responses, thus demonstrating the utility of this single-modality approach. A significant role in varying disgust sensitivity elicited by different objects was played by slimy, sticky, and wet characteristics, often characterizing environments associated with pathogen presence, as well as by felt fear and the individual's "animal reminder" disgust sensitivity. This study enhances our understanding of the tactile aspects of disgust and underscores the interplay between fear and disgust in pathogen defense.