title: Trypophobia is predicted by disgust sensitivity, empathic traits, and visual discomfort.
abstract: Trypophobia refers to disgust for a cluster of objects, and is considered an extension of disgust for dangerous objects. Furthermore, trypophobic images possess certain spatial properties that can induce perceptually unpleasant states (i.e., visual discomfort). We examined whether trypophobia is associated with disgust sensitivity, empathic traits, and visual discomfort. Japanese adults (n = 126) completed four scales: the Trypophobia Questionnaire, which measures trypophobia proneness; the Disgust Scale-Revised, which measures disgust sensitivity; the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, which measures empathic traits; and the Visual Discomfort Scale, which measures proneness to visual discomfort. Trypophobia proneness was found to be predicted by Core disgust sensitivity (i.e., threat of disease), Personal Distress (i.e., the empathic trait of self-oriented emotional distress), and proneness to visual discomfort. We suggest a number of potential factors relating to individual differences in trypophobia and the possible cognitive and perceptual mechanisms underlying trypophobia.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902 Japan ; Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi, Inage, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan ; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 102-0083 Japan.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8978-4125
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imaizumi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi, Inage, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan.
authors.forename: Manami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furuno
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi, Inage, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan.
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hibino
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi, Inage, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koyama
keywords: Disgust; Emotion; Empathy; Individual differences; Questionnaire; Trypophobia; Vision