Trump supporters can't stand the idea of a smelly armpit or a stinky foot, a study found — and psychologists are not surprised

pulse

March 1, 2018 12:26 AM

Conservatives who favor Trump are more easily disgusted by the smells of body odor and farts. Sounds weird, but it's backed up by decades of study.

Scientists surveyed Trump and Clinton supporters a month before the 2016 election, and found differences in how the two groups reacted to body odors.
Socially conservative voters were more sensitive when presented with the idea of a stinky fart or smelly armpit.
It's a finding that aligns with

Does the idea of a smelling someone's stinky feet gross you out? How about accidentally sniffing a stranger's fart, or standing next to someone wearing a sweaty t-shirt?

Turns out, supporters of President Donald Trump are especially grossed out by these ideas.

That's according to a new study released Wednesday from scientists at Stockholm University in Sweden.

The psychologists surveyed 391 American adults online in October 2016, a month before the presidential election. The participants represented a mix of personalities and demographics: 172 were men and 219 women, 36% supported Trump over Clinton (a number that tracked closely with national polling at the time), and roughly half of the group were college grads.

Time and again, the researchers found that when they asked questions like whether a participant would be grossed out by a neighbor's stinky feet, farts, urine, feces, or armpit smells, Trump supporters were predictably more sensitive to the idea of foul body odor.

The researchers said the finding isn't true across the board for all conservatives; but it was closely linked with people's support for socially conservative ideas and endorsement of President Trump.

Conservatives dont like being grossed out

Psychologists have previously found that socially conservative people look away from gross images like blood and vomit quicker than liberals. Conservatives' brains are also more active in areas that are associated with processing fear.

Being grossed out is not a bad thing — such reactions have helped humans survive for millennia. As we wade our way through a world of pathogens, it's helpful to get turned off by any potential germy foreign objects or stinky stuff.

Liuzza said the strong reaction of conservatives

But other recent research has suggested that socially conservative people's ability to get easily grossed out can extend into prejudice for unfamiliar groups like immigrants or gay people.

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