So close and yet so far away: An effect of disgust on distance perception and graspability

摘要: Previous research has shown that fear and arousal can influence the perception of spatial layout (Stefanucci & Proffitt, in press; Stefanucci & Storbeck, in press). In a series of studies, we examined the relationship between disgust and perception, particularly the perception of tools. In Study 1, we tested whether placing a disgusting substance on a tool would alter the way in which people grasped the tool. Using Creem & Proffitt's (2001) paradigm, which showed that people picked up tools by their handle even when the handle was oriented away from them, we showed that people will not grasp the handle when the tool has a disgusting substance on the handle. In Study 2, we assessed whether disgust would influence grasping behavior and the perceived distance to the object before the grasp. Participants were placed into a disgust or neutral condition. The tools in the disgust condition were entirely covered in a …