Social referencing "Mr. Yuk": the use of emotion in a poison prevention program.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether disgust, the emotion depicted on poison control "Mr. Yuk" stickers, conveys an age-appropriate message to young children.


METHODS
Two preliminary studies (both N = 48) were conducted with adults to assess what facial expressions of emotion they associated with child and adult violations of precautionary rules. Subsequently, 20 3-year-olds and 35 4-year-olds were tested on age-appropriate scenarios to determine what facial expressions of emotion they associate with accidental poisonings.


RESULTS
Adults associated violations of precautionary rules, regardless of whether they involved children or adults and physical injury or accidental poisonings, with facial expressions of fear, not disgust. The study conducted with children indicated that they likewise anticipated facial expressions of fear in response to accidental poisonings.


CONCLUSIONS
The disgust displayed on Mr. Yuk stickers does not appear to convey a valid emotional message, regardless of whether the stickers are used for preventive or educational purposes.
Pooley
Amanda J
AJ
Department of Psychology (SASS), James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia.
Fiddick
Laurence
L
D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005149:Facial Expression; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011041:Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011042:Poisons; D002666:Psychology, Child / Q000379:methods
D011042:Poisons