TED Talks Daily How disgust drives your politics | Cindy Kam
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Apr 1, 2025 
Cindy Kam, a political psychologist, explores the fascinating impact of disgust on decision-making and politics. She discusses how this often-reviled emotion can shape personal and political choices, influencing everything from dietary preferences to political alliances. Using historical examples, Kam illustrates how disgust can either unite or divide people, especially in public health crises. She also highlights the need to understand these gut reactions to make intentional, sustainable decisions.
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Cicada Snack
- Cindy Kam's daughter fried cicadas and offered them to the family.
- Kam had a visceral disgust reaction and refused to try them.
Disgust and Decisions
- Disgust is a visceral, gut reaction, influencing our decisions.
- While disgust reactions are automatic, our responses aren't.
Disgust Defined
- Disgust, a basic emotion with physiological responses, is about rejecting impurities.
- While universal, what triggers disgust is culturally learned, not innate.
