FAMILIAL RESEMBLANCES IN DISGUST SENSITIVITY AND ANIMAL PHOBIAS

This paper reports the results of two studies, both of which suggest there are close intrafamilial resemblances between parental disgust sensitivity and various measures of offspring animal phobia. In Study 1, a multiple regression analysis identified parental disgust sensitivity as a primary predictor of offspring animal fear in general (as measured by the animal phobia sub-scale of the Fear Survey Schedule), and offspring spider fear in particular. Study 2 indicated that parental disgust sensitivity was only related to offsprings' fear of animals known to be associated with the disgust reaction. These intrafamilial resemblances are discussed in relation to genetic and cultural transmission of the disgust reaction.