Body odor disgust sensitivity is associated with xenophobia in nine countries across five continents: A preregistered study

Body odor disgust sensitivity (BODS) reflects a behavioral disposition to avoid pathogens, and it may also involve social attitudes. Among participants in the USA, high levels of BODS were associated with stronger xenophobia towards a fictitious refugee group. To test the generalizability of this finding, we analyzed data from 9 countries across five continents (N = 6836). Using structural equation modeling, we found support for our preregistered hypotheses: higher BODS levels were associated with more xenophobic attitudes; this relationship was partially explained by perceived dissimilarities of the refugees’ norms regarding hygiene and food preparation, and general attitudes toward immigration. Our results support a theoretical notion of how pathogen avoidance is associated with social attitudes: “traditional norms” often involve behaviors that limit inter-group contact, social mobility, and situations that might lead to pathogen exposure. Our results also indicate that the positive relationship between BODS and xenophobia is robust across cultures.