That's Disgusting

That's Disgusting examines the science and psychology behind the emotion of disgust. The book covers how this primal response evolved, what purpose it serves, and how it impacts human behavior and culture. The research spans multiple fields including neuroscience, anthropology, and evolutionary biology. Through examples and case studies, Herz explores disgust's role in topics like food preferences, moral judgments, and sexual attraction. The narrative moves between scientific studies and real-world applications, demonstrating how disgust influences everything from public health campaigns to political attitudes. The writing maintains accessibility while tackling complex concepts about human nature and social dynamics. This work reveals the profound ways that a basic emotional response shapes human society and individual choices. It challenges readers to reconsider the relationship between physical revulsion and moral beliefs.

Readers describe this as an engaging exploration of disgust psychology that loses focus in later chapters. The research and evolutionary explanations for disgust reactions resonate with many readers. Likes: - Clear explanations of disgust's biological and cultural roots - Interesting examples and experiments - Strong first half covering core disgust responses - Accessible writing style for complex topics Dislikes: - Second half meanders into loosely related topics - Some sections feel repetitive - Political discussions seem forced and less scientific - Too many personal anecdotes from the author Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (409 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) Reader Quote: "The first chapters about food disgust and disease avoidance were fascinating. Lost me when it veered into moral disgust and politics." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers note they skimmed the final third but found the core disgust research valuable enough to recommend the book.

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🧠 Author Rachel Herz teaches at Brown University and Boston College, where she conducts research on cognitive neuroscience, emotion, and the psychology of smell. 🤢 The disgust response is not innate but learned - babies will happily put almost anything in their mouths, and disgust develops gradually between ages 4-8. 🍽️ Food preferences and aversions are heavily influenced by culture - what's considered disgusting in one society may be a delicacy in another, like the Japanese nattō (fermented soybeans) or French cheese with live maggots. 🔬 The emotion of disgust likely evolved as a protective mechanism against disease and contamination, which explains why humans are particularly repulsed by bodily fluids and rotting organic matter. 💑 Feelings of disgust can influence moral judgments and social attitudes, playing a role in prejudice, political beliefs, and even mate selection.