I am new to this forum -- followed the link from THR. The article referenced in this thread was interesting enough to make me register and add my $.02 worth.
Looking at the study as a bit of interesting science, I am left wondering why nobody thought to look at this before. The results raise two questions:
1. Is this an on/off type gene? Are people black or white about this, or is there a 'normal' distribution with most people somewhere between the extremes?
2. Are the strong reactions to 'threatening' images appropriate or are those people moving in the direction of panic? I hesitate to call either group right or wrong, more like over- and under-reacting to something which is hypothetically threatening.
Thinking of some of the threads on THR, there are always some who seem to genuinely feel that they are surrounded by a world full of strangers who are likely to attack them. They feel that their very survival literally depends on having enough armament handy at all times to fend off multiple attackers at any moment. It would be interesting to know if these folks would be the ones who react strongly to the pictures of spiders and maggots.
Going one step further, are people who don't see any difference between a spider and a warm/fuzzy bunny the sorts who find the topics discussed on THR scary and avoid them entirely? Are they really short on survival instincts? Do they have other self-preservation responses, such as running and hiding?
In any case, a very interesting article. Glad I happened to cruise this forum today.