“First, I examined whether a tendency to be highly disgusted by physically disgusting substances, for example, body products or spoiled food, sexual stimuli, or moral offences is detectable by acquaintances, friends, or romantic partners independently of broader personality,” Karinen explains. The research reveals that individuals' levels of disgust sensitivity can indeed be observed by those around them.
The next step for Karinen was to research the effect of disgust on people’s views on immigration. She concludes that sensitivity to disgust plays an important role in shaping opinions on immigration. “People who are highly disgusted by physically disgusting stimuli are more opposed to immigration because they resist the immigrants’ foreign norms – norms that have at least partly evolved to counteract pathogens,” Karinen explains. “These findings help to understand why anti-immigrant sentiments endorsed by certain political parties in Europe and the U.S. are more appealing to some people than others.”
Does disgust sensitivity also have consequences on artistic preferences? Yes, Karinen explains. “We find that men, people who are open to new experiences, sensation seekers, people who are knowledgeable about art, and politically left-leaning individuals tend to like grotesque art, whereas highly emotional and highly disgust sensitive people do not.”
Karinen’s research also shows that attitudes towards casual sex and recreational drugs are partly inherited and share common genetic factors. The findings suggest that moral views on recreational drugs arise from one’s attitudes and preferences toward casual sex. Karinen: “In the last five decades, the financial, social, and political costs and consequences of the war on drugs have been immense. That’s why understanding the factors that shape moral views toward recreational drug use is crucial. My research offers an understanding of why some people morally condemn recreational drug use and others do not.”