Curtis et al

Question 1

What can this study be used for?

Answer 1

Evolutionary explanation for behavior

Question 2

Year

Answer 2

Curtis et al (2004)

Question 3

Background

Answer 3

• The theory of evolution was first formulated by Charles Darwin and was later expanded on by improvement in understanding of genetics.
• of evolution is based on the idea that organisms are driven by the need to survive and pass on their genes.
• Better adaptations enhance chances of producing offspring - survival of the fittest
• Natural selection - non adaptives die off
• Disgust as a product of evolution should signal disease

Question 4

Aim

Answer 4

Investigate whether disgust is a product of evolution

Question 5

Participants

Answer 5

77 000 people from different countries

Question 6

Experimental design

Answer 6

Correlational study

Question 7

Procedure

Answer 7

• A survey was posted online
• Participants had to rate 20 photographs for disgust on a scale 1-5
• Pictures came in pairs of digitally manipulated stimuli - one picture was supposed to be disease-salient while the other wasn’t

Question 8

Results

Answer 8

• Researchers found that disease-salient pictures were rated as more disgusting. This persisted across cultures
• Results were more pronounced in females

Question 9

Link to evolution

Answer 9

• Since disgust was more prominent in disease-salient pictures, this suggests that it may be a product of evolution and signal disease
• This is further confirmed by the results being independent of culture
• Women showed more pronounced results. since women give birth to offspring and have a protective role, this might explain why evolutionarily they’d have a stronger response to disgust