Association between propensity and sensibility to disgust with care choice

Abstract

Traditional models suggest that disgust is a basic emotion with distinctive cognitive, physiological and behavioural components, which acts to prevent the possibility of contamination and disease. As occurs with fear, disgust can play a clearly adaptive function.  In this paper we examine if sensitivity to disgust can be related with employment orientation in young people. The sample was composed by students from a vocational school, with an average age of 21.25 years (SD = 5.40). A self-report inventory named "Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised (DPSS-R-12)" was collectively applied. The DPSS-R-12 allows to get scores for two dimensions of disgust: propensity and sensitivity. On the basis of the ANOVAs obtained, we found significant associations between the propensity to disgust and employment orientation. The results are discussed as well as the role of disgust as a possible determinant factor in the choice of the professional branch.