How Disgust Drives Your Politics

In this 16-minute TED talk, political psychologist Cindy Kam explores the powerful connection between disgust and political beliefs. Discover how reactions to scenarios like eating bugs or chocolate shaped like feces reveal deeper psychological mechanisms that influence both everyday decisions and political alignments. Kam examines how feelings of disgust—whether triggered by genuine contamination concerns or imagined threats—can either unite or divide communities and shape political alliances. Recorded at TEDxNashville on August 24, 2024, this thought-provoking presentation delves into the emotional underpinnings of political behavior and offers insights into why people form particular ideological attachments based on their disgust responses.