A current model of contamination aversion suggests that it has distinct affective and cognitive components that interact to respond to threats. The affective component involves disgust and responds preferentially to direct contaminants (e.g., feces). The cognitive component involves obsessive beliefs and responds preferentially to indirect contaminants (e.g., money). This study examined characteristics of the two components by comparing emotional and cognitive responses to different contaminants. In total, 47 participants completed behavioral avoidance tasks with direct, indirect, and harmful contaminants. Participants rated their disgust, fear of contamination, and threat estimation while in contact with each contaminant. The contaminants produced different emotional and cognitive responses, suggesting the differential involvement of affective and cognitive factors depending on the type of threat. Additionally, it was found that disgust did not habituate over time in contact with contaminants, whereas fear of contamination and threat estimation appeared to decline. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.

中文翻译：

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在厌恶污染方面经历的情绪和认知差异

当前的污染规避模型表明，它具有与众不同的情感和认知成分，这些成分相互作用以应对威胁。情感成分会令人反感，并优先对直接污染物（例如粪便）做出反应。认知成分涉及强迫观念，并优先对间接污染物（例如金钱）做出反应。这项研究通过比较对不同污染物的情绪和认知反应，研究了这两个成分的特征。共有47位参与者完成了避免直接，间接和有害污染物的行为规避任务。参加者对与每种污染物接触时的厌恶程度，对污染的恐惧以及对威胁的评估进行了评估。污染物产生了不同的情感和认知反应，建议根据威胁的类型来区分情感和认知因素。此外，还发现，与污染物接触并不会随着时间的流逝而逐渐厌恶，而对污染的恐惧和威胁估计似乎有所下降。临床和理论意义进行了讨论。