Intersection of Disgust and Fear: Normative and Pathological Views

The related emotions of disgust and fear are examined in their full range from normal to pathological. We propose that disgust plays a functional role in some anxiety disorders, specific phobias in particular. Basic research in disgust and fear is reviewed, and these emotions are contrasted in terms of their functional value, behavioral intentions, physiological processes, and acquisition mechanisms. Cognitive appraisals of danger and contamination are discussed as a mechanism for the role of disgust in some anxiety disorders. Finally, we evaluate competing explanations regarding the relationship between disgust and fear in these contexts, finding value in the concepts of imprecise emotional labeling and a synergistic model of a bidirectional association between disgust and fear. Implications for treatment are discussed.