Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Question 1

Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Aim

Answer 1

To examine disgust as an option to avoid disease.

Question 2

Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Procedure

Answer 2

• approx 40000 participants
• online survey was conducted using photo stimuli
• Asked to rate 20 images on Likert scale from 1-5 for disgust (7 pairs; one diseases-relevant, the other not; along with 6 “distraction photos”)
• Asked to pick from a list of people who they’d least likely share a toothbrush with (postman, spouse/partner, best friend, Tv news anchor, sibling, boss)

Question 3

Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Findings

Answer 3

• Disease-related pictured were rated more disgusting than others
• Women had higher disgust sensitivity than men, supporting disgust as an evolutionary behavior as women have possibility of having to protect a fetus
• Downward trend with age, older people were less disgusted, decreases with reproductive abilities
• Participants were the most hesitant to share a toothbrush with a person they didn’t know
• Supports theory that disgust is an evolutionary behavior to protect us from disease/pathogens

Question 4

Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Strengths

Answer 4

• Very large sample
• Highly reliable
• Participant bias reduced- participant who reported all same rating of all ones or all fives were removed to reduce “screw-you” effect

Question 5

Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Limitations

Answer 5

• Sampling bias
  
  • Most participants are 16-65 leaving out the older demographic
  • Only people with computer and internet access were evaluated
  • Majority of participants were from Europe (lacking cross-cultural validity)

Question 6

Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Ethical Considerations

Answer 6

(- informed consent 9some participants may find the photos disturbing)

Question 7

Curtis Et Al Study (bio)

Research Method

Answer 7

Correlation study