1,721,003 research outputs found
THE SMELL OF PREJUDICE. DISGUST, SENSE OF SMELL AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES. AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE
Full text linkIn the present article, I review some evidence that shows how body odor disgust sensitivity (BODS) plays a central role in the so-called behavioral immune system (BIS), a set of processes aimed at detecting, emotionally reacting, and behaviorally avoiding pathogen threats. I also report empirical evidence on how the BODS relates to social attitudes such as authoritarianism, xenophobia, and condemnation of “impure” moral violations. This research is interpreted from an Evolutionary psychology framewor
Italian validation of the body odor disgust scale
Full text linkIntroduction: Disgust sensitivity to body odors plays a role in a set of psychological mechanisms supposedly evolved to avoid pathogens. To assess individual differences in body odor disgust, we previously developed the body odor disgust scale (BODS) and validated it in English. The BODS presents six scenarios where disgust could be evoked by smells coming from an internal source and an external source. The present study aimed to validate the BODS in the Italian population and to find further evidence for its structural, construct, and criterion validity. Methods: We used two large samples (N = 1,050, F = 527; and N = 402, F = 203, respectively) that were representative of the Italian population for sex and age. Results: Across these two studies, we confirmed the hypothesized bifactor structure, with all the items loading onto a general body odor disgust sensitivity factor, and on two specific factors related to the internal structure. In terms of construct validity, we found that the BODS converged with pathogen disgust sensitivity of the three-domain disgust scale (TDDS) but was distinct from a general propensity to experience negative emotions. The BODS showed criterion validity in predicting the behavioral intentions toward COVID-19 avoidance behavior, although it did not seem to be incrementally valid when compared to the TDDS pathogen subscale. We also established scalar measurement invariance of the BODS regarding gender and found that women display higher levels of BODS. Discussion: Results from the Italian version of the BODS indicate its structural, construct, nomological and criterion validity. Furthermore, our result on sex differences in disgust sensitivity are consistent with previous literature, and we discuss them in the broader context of cross-cultural and primate findings that points toward a possible evolutionary explanation of this difference
Different kinds of abstract concept. Le sotto-categorie dei concetti astratti: uno studio empirico
No full textTo explain how abstract concepts, like "truth", are represented is pivotal for embodied and grounded theories, according to which concepts are grounded in sensorimotor system. An important novelty in recent literature is the recognition that abstract concepts are not a unitary whole, but there might exist sub-kinds of abstract concepts, that are differently represented. Some studies have started to explore the differences between abstract concepts, such as mathematical, emotional, institutional and social concepts. However, an accurate classification has not yet been provided. The aim of our work is to identify fine-grained differences between abstract concepts. We selected 425 abstract words and classified them into preexisting and new categories of concepts: mathematical and logic, social, linguistics, institutional, temporal, spatial, mental states, characteristics of the self, events, pure abstract, imaginary, knowledge areas, cognitive processes, bodily states and physical. A sample of 240 participants rated words on a 7-points Likert-type scale on various dimensions. Aside classical dimensions, like concreteness, abstractness, and imageability, we considered novel dimensions highlighted by recent studies: age and modality of acquisition (perceptual vs linguistic); valence (positive and negative); social dimension; Body-object interaction; perceptual modality and interoception. Preliminary results highlighted a distinction between two macro-kinds of concepts, characterized by a different level of grounding. "Emotions" and "Bodily states" obtained higher BOI and interoception ratings than other categories. "Institutional concepts" and "Knowledge domains" were judged with higher MoA, i.e. mostly linguistically acquired. Our results suggest that differences in concepts kinds thus do not depend only on content but also on mechanisms like interoception and language activation
Lingue, corpo e pensiero
No full textQual è il rapporto tra le lingue, il linguaggio e il pensiero? Si può parlare del linguaggio in astratto, senza considerare le differenze tra le lingue che parliamo? Si può parlare del pensiero in generale, senza parlare della diversità dei corpi e dei contesti in cui viviamo? In che modo il tipo di corpo che possediamo influenza il nostro modo di pensare, di conoscere, di parlare? Il nostro corpo è un’entità soltanto biologica o anche sociale? In che misura le lingue che parliamo influenzano il nostro modo di pensare? La tesi di questo libro è allo stesso tempo semplice e radicale: non si possono studiare la mente e il linguaggio umani se non li si radica nell’esperienza corporea. Questo significa, però, che poiché questa esperienza non si dà se non in una situazione, in una cultura, entro una specifica forma di vita, non esiste qualcosa come la cognizione umana, o il linguaggio umano. Di qui l’enfasi che il libro pone, ed è la sua caratteristica più originale, sulla differenza tra linguaggio e lingue: ecco che il linguaggio non può essere studiato se non come lingua, come prodotto di un’esperienza storicamente, culturalmente situata. Nell’accostarsi a questi temi, il libro adotta una prospettiva multidisciplinare che attraversa la filosofia, la psicologia, le neuroscienze e la robotica. L’obiettivo è quello di fornire un quadro d’insieme che tenga conto del complesso rapporto tra lingue, corpo e pensiero, e di proporre non tanto risposte quanto interrogativi rilevanti sia per la ricerca sperimentale che per la riflessione filosofica
Corrigendum: The Body Odor Disgust Scale (BODS): Development and validation of a novel olfactory disgust assessment [Chem. Senses, (2016) (1-10)] doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjw107
No full textIn "The Body Odor Disgust Scale (BODS): Development and Validation of a Novel Olfactory Disgust Assessment" by Marco Tullio Liuzza et al., the sentence in section "Confirmatory factor analysis", "One hundred sixty-eight participants (49.6%) defined themselves as female." should be "One hundred twenty-eight participants (49.6%) defined themselves as female.". This has been corrected in print and online. The author regrets this error
A Review of the Effects of Valenced Odors on Face Perception and Evaluation
Full text linkHow do valenced odors affect the perception and evaluation of facial expressions? We reviewed 25 studies published from 1989 to 2020 on cross-modal behavioral effects of odors on the perception of faces. The results indicate that odors may influence facial evaluations and classifications in several ways. Faces are rated as more arousing during simultaneous odor exposure, and the rated valence of faces is affected in the direction of the odor valence. For facial classification tasks, in general, valenced odors, whether pleasant or unpleasant, decrease facial emotion classification speed. The evidence for valence congruency effects was inconsistent. Some studies found that exposure to a valenced odor facilitates the processing of a similarly valenced facial expression. The results for facial evaluation were mirrored in classical conditioning studies, as faces conditioned with valenced odors were rated in the direction of the odor valence. However, the evidence of odor effects was inconsistent when the task was to classify faces. Furthermore, using a z-curve analysis, we found clear evidence for publication bias. Our recommendations for future research include greater consideration of individual differences in sensation and cognition, individual differences (e.g., differences in odor sensitivity related to age, gender, or culture), establishing standardized experimental assessments and stimuli, larger study samples, and embracing open research practices
Linguistic tools for embodied minds
No full textIn this paper, we outline the embodied perspective of language comprehension indicating some of its limitations. We claim that the notions of language as a tool (CLARK 2006a, 2006b), might be useful to overcome a view focused only on referential aspects of language. Words, in quality of tools, can: a. facilitate communication among speakers; b. influence categorization; c. have a different impact on concrete and abstract words; d. allow us to construct an inner speech. Finally, we discuss how thinking about language as tool can help inform future research on thought, language and bod
Bound to the group and blinded by the leader: Ideological leader-follower dynamics in a trust economic game
Full text linkUnderstanding the dynamics of trustworthiness in ideological contexts could influence human societies, affect electoral campaigns and ultimately impact democracy. We tested trust behaviour towards political leaders in a sample of 121 opposing/supporting voters assigned as trustors in an iterative trust game (TG). In two experiments, a famous Italian conservative leader (i.e. Silvio Berlusconi) or a famous non-politician were used as trustees in a predefined un/trustworthy TG, while trustors believed that mathematical algorithms reproduced trustee’s real behaviour. Results revealed that depending on the group, voters either relied on the situation and adjusted to the behaviour of the out-group leader (in our case left-wing voters), or on their disposition for group-loyalty with respect for authority, thus failing to adjust to the behaviour of the in-group leader (in our case right-wing voters). Our findings suggest that: (i) complex voter–leader relations in politics are reflected in the simple trustor–trustee financial interactions from behavioural economics, and (ii) being bound to one’s group and one’s leader may affect the trust economic decisions of the followers
Body odour disgust sensitivity is associated with xenophobia: evidence from nine countries across five continents
Full text linkBody odour disgust sensitivity (BODS) reflects a behavioural disposition to avoid pathogens, and it may also involve social attitudes. Among participants in the USA, high levels of BODS were associated with stronger xenophobia towards a fictitious refugee group. To test the generalizability of this finding, we analysed data from nine countries across five continents (N = 6836). Using structural equation modelling, we found support for our pre-registered hypotheses: higher BODS levels were associated with more xenophobic attitudes; this relationship was partially explained by perceived dissimilarities of the refugees' norms regarding hygiene and food preparation, and general attitudes toward immigration. Our results support a theoretical notion of how pathogen avoidance is associated with social attitudes: 'traditional norms' often involve behaviours that limit inter-group contact, social mobility and situations that might lead to pathogen exposure. Our results also indicate that the positive relationship between BODS and xenophobia is robust across cultures
Psychometric Characteristics of the Italian Version of the Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory
Full text linkSociosexuality refers to the tendency to engage in uncommitted sexual behavior and has been dissected into three domains: sociosexual behavior, attitudes, and desire (Penke & Asendorpf, 2008), which led to the revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R), which was validated on a German sample. The current research aimed at translating and validating an Italian version (I-SOI-R), administered to three distinct Italian participant groups. In the first sample (N = 710, females = 521, age = 18-59 years), we found evidence for a bifactor model, articulated in a general sociosexuality factor and three specific factors (behavior, attitudes, desire). High internal consistency was established for total and subscale scores, alongside favorable test-retest reliability. A connection was found between relationship status and sociosexual desire, though not gender dependent. We found evidence for test-retest reliability in a second sample (N = 55, females = 37, age 20-58 years). In a third study (N = 305, females = 147, age = 19-60 years), the earlier findings were replicated, further confirming the I-SOI-R's construct, criterion, and nomological validity on an online sample. Combining data from the three studies revealed full configural, metric, and scalar invariance regarding gender. This allowed us to meaningfully compare the observed scores of women and men and replicated the finding that men display higher levels of unrestricted sociosexuality. In conclusion, the I-SOI-R may serve as a valuable tool to assess and enhance sexual health, albeit warranting future research on construct and criterion validity
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