A new study showed a link between strong right-wing views and fear of disease and increased concern about hygiene.
The study showed that people who are more offended by bad odors are more likely to support authoritarian leaders, such as Donald Trump.
In the past, disgust at bad odors was important for survival. The scientists suggested that the disgust at unfamiliar odors may be linked to a desire to keep apart from "culturally unfamiliar" groups.
[...] In the new study, 160 people were rated on their aversion to bodily odours on a scale to one five and their responses compared to their political views. It found that each point higher on the disgust scale was associated with feeling 7.5 points more positive towards authoritarian leaders.
[...] It showed that people who were more disgusted by smells were also more likely to vote for Donald Trump than those who were less sensitive.
(Score: 2) by crafoo on Thursday March 01 2018, @02:51PM (1 child)
People with unrealistic worldviews who advocate for their own destruction have no aversion to foul odors, diseases, and have poor hygiene? Yes. That checks out.
(Score: 2) by Wootery on Thursday March 01 2018, @05:28PM
It's a very clumsy title, summarising an interesting (but by no means recently discovered) phenomenon.