Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background Disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder are associated with heightened disgust. Research suggests that dominant methods for treating such disorders (e.g., exposure therapies) are less effective at targeting disgust. Alternative strategies are needed to enhance treatment effectiveness. Methods In two studies, we investigated positive emotion (elicited via humorous content) for attenuating disgust responses to film clips. In Study 1, n = 174 undergraduates were randomized to view either a humorous, sad, or neutral clip prior to a disgusting clip. In study 2, n = 294 undergraduate participants were randomized to either view two clips with discrete emotional content (purely disgusting and purely amusing) or two mixed emotional clips (disgust mixed with amusement, amusement mixed with disgust). Results Results of Study 1 showed that the humorous clip buffered against ratings of disgust. In Study 2, humorous content reduced reports of disgust. For both studies, the effect of the manipulation was not moderated by clinical characteristics, like disgust proneness, contamination concerns, or depression. Conclusion Findings suggest that positive emotions can alter the appraisal of disgusting content, attenuating feelings of disgust, with potential clinical implications for treatment.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Authors: Benjamin J. Mitchell, Karin G. Coifman
Institution: Kent State University
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4410378386