TED Talks Daily
How disgust drives your politics | Cindy Kam
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.
17:29
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Quick takeaways
- Disgust influences our decisions by acting as an automatic, emotional response that can protect us from harm.
- The emotion of disgust has broader societal implications, shaping political alliances and public policies based on shared concerns or intolerance.
Deep dives
The Role of Emotions in Decision-Making
Emotions, particularly disgust, play a significant role in our decision-making processes. Disgust is a visceral reaction that can influence choices, often automatically steering our judgments based on learned experiences. For instance, conditioned taste aversion can lead individuals to avoid certain foods associated with negative experiences, highlighting how disgust can protect us from harm. By understanding the dynamics of our emotional responses, we can decide whether to let emotions guide our decisions or take control ourselves.
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