#Disgusted: Identifying potential sub-factors of Moral Disgust through Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Tweets

Statton, R, Bacon, A, Charlesford, J and Terbeck, S (2024) #Disgusted: Identifying potential sub-factors of Moral Disgust through Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Tweets. Qualitative Methods in Psychology Bulletin, 37. pp. 34-51. ISSN 2044-0820

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Abstract

Social media provides an untapped resource for exploring Moral Disgust. We therefore drew on ‘tweets’ about Moral Disgust (k=526) to better conceptualise the situations, people, and concepts users found Disgusting. Our Reflexive Thematic Analysis identified two themes and accompanying subthemes: Hierarchical Disgust and Third-Party Disgust. Hierarchical Disgust was constructed from expressions of Disgust directed to power structures, abuses of power, and leaders, whereas Third-Party Disgust comprised expressions directed at negative outcomes for others, often in the form of discrimination or harm. Both themes served as a form of group protection through out-group distancing and normative in-group policing. Importantly, this research extends classic Disgust literature (e.g. Tybur et al., 2013), presenting a novel approach to naturalistic data collection and providing future researchers with an approach to study other emotions, beliefs, and subjects that are expressed online.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	The British Psychological Society
Date of acceptance:	13 June 2024
Date of first compliant Open Access:	2 May 2025
Date Deposited:	02 May 2025 12:11
Last Modified:	02 May 2025 12:15
DOI or ID number:	10.53841/bpsqmip.2024.1.37.34
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26246

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