Both philosophers and literary critics have championed artworks as necessary to moral education. As a result many of these critics believe that art that is bad or immoral can causally affect our character, resulting in moral harm. Moral harm is the idea that artworks possess a strong disposition to affect our moral beliefs such that we are less able to distinguish between what is good and what is bad. I examine this concept of moral harm and argue that immoral artworks do not have this kind of causal power over our moral beliefs. Proponents of the moral harm thesis are in error to attribute such a power to artworks. Additionally, I propose a definition of immoral artworks consistent with moral harm, as well as discuss the distinction between immoral artworks and artworks that are merely elicit disgust or offense.

Many traditional accounts of moral development posit that children actively construct moral beliefs by reasoning about the distress they directly perceive in the aftermath of harmful or unjust actions. However, these accounts cannot straightforwardly explain the development of moral beliefs about harmless but tabooed actions. For cases such as these, when no negative behavioral consequences are apparent, top-down socialization processes (e.g., verbal instruction or "testimony" from adults) may instead influence moral development, as well as emotional reactions such as disgust. The present research consists of four studies that empirically examine the mechanisms leading to the formation of moral values involving victimless actions. Seven-year-old children were recruited as participants in this research. They were shown pictures of anthropomorphic aliens engaged in novel body-focused or environment-focused actions, all of which were harmless. After being exposed to one of various experimental manipulations, children were asked to judge whether the depicted actions were "wrong" or "OK". It was hypothesized that participants would readily acquire new moral beliefs upon being exposed to each of the experimental manipulations that were employed, even though none invoked suffering or harm. Study 1 (N = 64) found that information about unnaturalness and the invocation of disgust each elevated moralization, and that their independent effects were compounded when these manipulations were presented jointly. Study 2 (N = 90) demonstrated that verbally presented testimony about disgust, but not the induced emotional experience of disgust, was an effective mechanism for moralization, particularly for children who were more disgust sensitive. Study 3 (N = 30) found that children responded to testimony about anger with similar patterns of moralization as when given testimony about disgust, but that anger-based testimony was especially effective for children who were more highly prone to anger. Study 4 (N = 28) found that children's moral beliefs were retained after a prolonged time delay. In sum, across four studies, children were found to rapidly form new moral beliefs about victimless actions, particularly upon exposure to emotionally laden testimony. Overall, this research demonstrates that children are susceptible to swiftly acquiring moral beliefs even in the absence of obvious adverse outcomes.

Ce travail de thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre des théories de l'appraisal (i.e., évaluation cognitive) et notamment du Modèle des Processus Composants qui postule que la pertinence d’un évènement (i.e., l'importance de cet évènement à un instant donné dans la hiérarchie des buts et des besoins de l’organisme) serait capable de moduler le traitement attentionnel de stimuli émotionnels (i.e., l'attention émotionnelle), et ce, de façon automatique. Ce modèle a l'avantage de replacer l'individu au centre des émotions. Lui seul peut déterminer si un évènement est susceptible d'attirer son attention et, à court terme de déclencher une émotion spécifique. Ce projet de recherche a pour but de tester l'hypothèse d'une attention émotionnelle qui serait guidée par l'appraisal de pertinence de l'individu et ce, quelles que soient les caractéristiques intrinsèques du stimulus. Le mécanisme d'appraisal de pertinence serait très précoce et pourrait se produire à des niveaux de traitements automatiques et non conscients permettant ainsi à l'organisme de s'ajuster rapidement à son environnement. Nous avons conduit quatre études expérimentales afin d'étudier l'influence du traitement non conscient de l'appraisal de pertinence sur l'attention émotionnelle. Pour ce faire, nous avons utilisé un paradigme innovant, la Continuous Flash Suppression, qui permet une présentation non consciente et de longue durée d'une information visuelle. Les résultats de nos études suggèrent qu'il est possible de manipuler la pertinence de stimuli initialement neutres et non pertinents afin de moduler leur capacité à provoquer des biais attentionnels en générant non consciemment un but temporaire chez nos participants. En effet, les résultats ont révélé des effets de capture attentionnelle par des stimuli devenus pertinents suite à une induction émotionnelle (i.e., dégoût) non consciente. De plus, nos données montrent que nous serions capables de détecter la présence d'un stimulus pertinent que nous ne percevons pas consciemment. En effet, après une induction émotionnelle consciente, des effets d'interférence attentionnelle ont été mis en évidence par des stimuli devenus pertinents, même si ceux-ci n'étaient pas perçus consciemment. Enfin, nos résultats suggèrent que l'appraisal de pertinence est efficient, que les stimuli pertinents utilisés soient des stimuli symboliques ou non (i.e., mots ou images). Plus largement, ce travail de thèse défend l'idée que l'appraisal de pertinence est un bon déterminant de l'attention émotionnelle et que ce mécanisme peut se déployer de façon automatique, en dehors de tout contrôle volontaire et même en condition de perception non consciente. / This thesis focuses on appraisal theories (i.e., cognitive evaluation) and more particularly on the Component Process Model. This model postulates that the relevance of an event (i.e., the importance of the event at a given time in the hierarchy of the goals and needs of the organism) is able to modulate the attentional processing of emotional stimuli (i.e., emotional attention) in an automatic way. This model has the advantage to place the individual at the center of his own emotions. The individual can determine if an event is likely to attract his attention and to trigger a specific emotion. The present research project aimed to test the hypothesis of an emotional attention that would be guided by the individual's appraisal of relevance, regardless of the intrinsic characteristics of the stimulus. The appraisal of relevance seems to occur very early in the appraisal sequence and could be deployed at different levels of processing, that is, in an automatic and non-conscious way, in order to allow the organism to adapt quickly to its environment. In order to test this hypothesis, we conducted four experiments in which we investigated the influence of non-conscious appraisal of relevance on emotional attention. To do so, we used an innovative paradigm, the Continuous Flash Suppression paradigm, allowing the non-conscious and long-term presentation of visual information. The results of our studies suggest that it is possible to manipulate the relevance of initially neutral and non-relevant stimuli, in order to generate non-consciously a temporary goal for our participants, which modulates the ability of stimuli to provoke attentional biases. Indeed, the results revealed attentional capture effects, as stimuli became relevant following a non-conscious emotional induction (i.e., disgust). In addition, our data support the idea that we are able to detect the presence of a relevant stimulus that we do not perceive consciously. Indeed, after a conscious emotional induction, attentional interference effects have been observed, generated by stimuli that became relevant, even if they were not perceived consciously. Finally, our results suggest that the appraisal of relevance is efficient both for symbolic relevant stimuli and non-symbolic relevant ones (i.e., words or pictures). In this thesis, we argue that the appraisal of relevance is a good determinant of emotional attention and that this mechanism can be deployed automatically, without any voluntary control and even in non-conscious perception conditions.

付記する学位プログラム名: 霊長類学・ワイルドライフサイエンス・リーディング大学院 / 京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第21615号 / 理博第4522号 / 新制||理||1649(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)准教授 Andrew MacIntosh, 教授 古市 剛史, 教授 髙井 正成 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

The goal of this research synthesis is to obtain evidence about a new and upcoming idea of how political ideology and religious beliefs may be predicted by disgust, moral codes and physiological activity. Previously, it was believed by some that politics and religion were a product of an individual's environment and influences of an individual's family and friend's beliefs. Current research is trying to explain how much a person's biology influences their beliefs. This thesis will aim to explain how it is possible to obtain these types of data and why this research is important.

No description available.

The aim of this study was to examine whether three different psychological predictors; Health anxiety (SHAI), Disgust sensitivity (DS-R) and intolerance of uncertainty (IUS-12) could predict COVID-19-related anxiety in students at Orebro University, Sweden. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between the three psychological behaviors and pandemic-related anxiety. An online survey, consisting of both standardized and non-standardized questionnaires, was constructed. The survey was completed by 199 participants, aged between 19-48 (M = 25.14 and SD = 5.35) from Orebro University, Sweden through Limesurvey. A correlation revealed that Health anxiety and Disgust sensitivity were significantly correlated with COVID-19-related anxiety. The regression analysis revealed that there was a significance between the three psychological behaviors and COVID-19-related anxiety. In conclusion, Health anxiety, Disgust sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty, could indeed be associated with COVID-19-related anxiety in the students. / Syftet med studien är att examinera huruvida tre olika psykologiska beteenden; Health anxiety (SHAI), Disgust sensitivity (DS-R) och Intolerance of uncertainty (IUS-12) kan förutse COVID-19-relaterad ångest i studenter på Örebro Universitet. Det hypotiserades att det skulle finnas en signifikant relation baserat på tidigare studier. En online enkät, med både standardiserade och icke-standardiserade frågeformulär, konstruerades. Antal deltagare som kompletterade enkäten genom Limesurvey var 199 studenter mellan åldrarna 19–48 (M = 25.14 och SD = 5.35) från Örebro Universitet. Genom en korrelationsanalys kunde man se att både Health anxiety och Disgust sensitivity var signifikant korrelerade med COVID-19-relaterad Pandemi. Avslutningsvis, en multipel regressionsanalys visade att Health anxiety, Disgust sensitivity och Intolerance of uncertainty var signifikant relaterat med COVID-19-relaterad ångest i studenterna.

Le dégoût est une émotion au cœur de notre vie individuelle et collective. A la fois « gardien » du corps et de l’esprit, un dégoût physique se distingue d’un dégoût moral. Dans une première recherche (Etude 1), nous avons examiné les caractéristiques de ces deux types de dégoût à partir de récits d’expériences émotionnelles vécues. Une analyse de contenu thématique ainsi qu’une analyse lexicale informatisée de ces récits (logiciel ALCESTE) ont mis en évidence que le dégoût physique passe par les sens et émerge lors de situations où l’individu est « acteur » de ce qui se passe alors que le dégoût moral, moins pur car mêlé de colère et de tristesse, serait ressenti après observation et évaluation d’une situation de transgression morale (ex. trahison). Le second objectif de cette thèse était d’examiner les conséquences du dégoût physique et moral sur la perception stéréotypée et déshumanisée d’autrui (Dasgupta et al., 2009 ; Harris & Fiske, 2006 ; Tiedens & Linton, 2001). Deux recherches (Etudes 2 et 3) nous ont permis de mettre en évidence qu’une compatibilité entre le dégoût incident (i.e. induit indépendamment de la cible de l’évaluation) et le dégoût intégral chronique (i.e. suscité par l’appartenance groupale de la cible) conduit les individus à baser davantage leur jugement sur leurs stéréotypes. De plus, l’étude 3 suggère de considérer dans ce processus, outre le dégoût chronique, le dégoût intégral épisodique (i.e. évoqué par le comportement de la cible ; Bodenhausen, 1993). Dans une quatrième étude, nous avons examiné l’impact d’une compatibilité entre le dégoût chronique et épisodique sur la perception stéréotypée. Les résultats montrent que cette compatibilité conduit à une stéréotypie plus importante lorsque la cible appartient à un groupe protégé (i.e. obèse). En outre, cette recherche met au jour le rôle du dégoût comme facteur de déshumanisation, mais aussi l’effet d’une émotion positive de sympathie dans le processus de « ré-humanisation ». L’ensemble de ce travail souligne le rôle clé des émotions intégrales dans la perception sociale et laisse apparaître la nécessité de s’intéresser au dégoût et à ses effets afin de comprendre et de lutter contre l’exclusion sociale dont certains groupes sont victimes / Disgust is at the heart of our individual and collective life. As disgust may operate both as a “Guardian” of the body and the soul, theories of disgust usually distinguish between physical and moral disgust. In a first study we explored the characteristics of these two types of disgust by content-analyzing participants’ narrations of past emotional experiences. A thematic content analysis and a lexical analysis (using the ALCESTE software) show that physical disgust most often refers to direct sensory and perceptual experiences that are recalled and described from the “actor” perspective. Moral disgust, on the other hand, is a more complex emotion that is often mixed with the feeling of anger and sadness. It is less immediate because it implies the evaluation of someone’s behavior as unfair or morally blameworthy (e.g. betrayal). The second aim of this thesis was to examine the consequences of physical and moral disgust on the stereotypical perception and dehumanization of others (Dasgupta et al., 2009; Harris & Fiske, 2006; Tiedens & Linton, 2001). Two studies (Studies 2 and 3) show that the compatibility between incidental disgust (i.e. disgust that is unrelated to the target of the judgment) and chronic integral disgust (i.e. disgust aroused by the target’s group membership) leads individuals to rely more on stereotypes in their judgment. Moreover, study 3 suggests that it may be necessary to consider also episodic integral disgust (i.e. disgust aroused by the target’s behavior; Bodenhausen, 1993). In a fourth study, we therefore examined the impact of the compatibility between chronic and episodic integral disgust on stereotyping. Our results show that compatibility leads to a greater stereotypical perception of targets, especially those belonging to a protected social group (i.e. obese persons). Finally, this last study reveals that individuals tend to dehumanize “disgusting” others and that feeling sympathy towards others is important in the process of “re-humanization”. This thesis underlines the key role of integral emotions on social perception and the necessity of studying disgust and its effects in order to understand and to fight social exclusion

Introduction: There remains a lack of theoretical models which can adequately account for the key features of bipolar disorders (Power, 2005). Objectives: Firstly, to test the predictions made by the SPAARS model that mania is predominantly characterised by the coupling of happiness with anger, while depression (unipolar and bipolar) primarily comprises of a coupling between sadness and disgust. Secondly, to investigate and compare the coping strategies employed to regulate positive and negative emotion between bipolar, unipolar and control groups. Design: A cross sectional design was employed to examine the differences within and between the bipolar, unipolar and control groups in the emotions experienced and the strategies used to regulate emotion. Data were analysed using ANOVAs. Method: Psychiatric diagnoses in the clinical groups were confirmed using the SCID. Current mood state was measured using the BDI-II, STAI and the MAS. The Basic Emotion Scale was used to explore the emotional profiles and the Regulation of Emotion Questionnaire was used to measure coping strategies. Results: The results confirmed the predictions made by the SPAARS model about the emotions in mania and depression. Elevated levels of disgust were also found in the bipolar group generally. The clinical groups used internal dysfunctional strategies more often than the controls for negative emotion. The bipolar group used external dysfunctional strategies more frequently than the controls for positive emotion. Conclusion: The results support the predictions made by the SPAARS model and suggest that disgust plays a key role in bipolar disorder. Strengths and limitations are discussed and suggestions for future research are explored.