What is it about?
This study examined why people who are more easily disgusted—especially by things related to disease—also tend to be more religious. The researchers tested three possible explanations based on existing hypotheses: whether this link comes tendencies to value tradition, avoid outsiders, or hold more restrictive attitudes toward casual sex. Using data from a diverse international sample, the study found that only sexual attitudes helped explain the connection. People who were more sensitive to disgust also tended to have more restricted views on casual sex, which was linked with higher religiosity.
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Why is it important?
Understanding why disgust sensitivity and religiosity are linked helps researchers make sense of how the behavioral immune system relates to religiosity. The findings challenge previous ideas that this relationship is primarily about tradition or group boundaries and instead highlight how basic motivations around monogamous mating may shape religious engagement.
Perspectives
Benjamin Zubaly believes this study is important for several reasons. First, the relationship between disgust sensitivity and religiosity is otherwise perplexing, and this paper provides a compelling explanation for some of this relationship. Additionally, this work helps us understand individual differences in religiosity. Religion is one of the most important aspects of many people’s lives, and this research shows that psychological traits like disgust sensitivity and attitudes toward sex can help explain why some people are more religious than others. It adds nuance to our understanding of what motivates religious belief and behavior on a personal level—not just cultural or social influences.
Benjamin Zubaly
University of Michigan
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sociosexual attitudes mediate the relationship between behavioral immune system reactivity and religiosity., Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, July 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/ebs0000388.
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