According to a series of three studies, there is a stronger negative emotional and avoidance reaction toward unfamiliar – compared to familiar – older adults, confirming source effects of disgust toward this population. However, there were no moderating effects of filial piety – i.e., the virtue of respect towards elders. This research was published in Evolutionary Psychology.
Disgust is an important factor that links the behavioural immune system – “a defense system selected under the persistent disease pressures in an evolutionary environment” – with ageism. This system overgeneralizes at times, with people often perceiving abnormal body shape, movements, or behaviours as cueing the existence of pathogens. Aging is accompanied by physiological changes, including in appearance, posture, or movement (e.g., wrinkles, tremors). These changes could signal unhealthiness and prompt disgust toward older adults.
Some studies suggest disgust is stronger toward unfamiliar (vs. familiar) individuals, a phenomenon referred to as the “source effect of disgust.” Thus, it appears that the disgust experience can change, depending on the source of the disgust. In this work, Quan Cao and colleagues examined the source effect of disgust and avoidance responses toward older adults specifically. An important consideration is filial piety, a virtue in eastern cultures, which could be a moderating variable in the source effect of disgust. READ MORE...
