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The Evolution of Disgust, Pathogens, and the Behavioural Immune System

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The Handbook of Disgust Research

Abstract

Throughout history, infectious diseases have been a constant threat to the survival and reproduction of humans and other animals. From an evolutionary perspective, infectious microorganisms (i.e., parasites, viruses, bacteria) are one of the most potent and ubiquitous selection pressures shaping the evolution of organisms susceptible to the diseases caused by these agents. As such, humans and other animals have developed a repertoire of emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and physiological mechanisms that function as protection against the persistent threat posed by infection. In the current chapter, we first provide an overview of past literature supporting the reasoning that key aspects of human psychology—disgust and the behavioural immune system—represent adaptations to the selection pressures posed by infectious microorganisms. We end by presenting innovative ideas bearing on disgust and the behavioural immune system, which incorporate perspectives from psychology, ecology, and psychoneuroimmunology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, USA

    Hannah K. Bradshaw

  2. Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA

    Jeffrey Gassen

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  1. Hannah K. Bradshaw
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  2. Jeffrey Gassen
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Correspondence to Hannah K. Bradshaw .

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  1. School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Philip A. Powell

  2. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Nathan S. Consedine

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Bradshaw, H.K., Gassen, J. (2021). The Evolution of Disgust, Pathogens, and the Behavioural Immune System. In: Powell, P.A., Consedine, N.S. (eds) The Handbook of Disgust Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84486-8_3

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