Understanding Disgust: The Emotion That Protects Us 🤢
with the EMBRACE Squad
Disgust is one of the emotions that helps keep us safe.
As part of the EMBRACE CERV PROJECT’s #KnowEmotions campaign, we explore emotions through the lens of psychologist Robert Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, where disgust sits opposite trust.
While trust allows us to feel safe and open to others, disgust acts as a warning signal. It tells us when something may be unhealthy, unsafe, or simply not right for us.
In our new EMBRACE animation on Disgust, children see how this emotion works in everyday life and why it is an important part of emotional awareness.
🤢 A person notices something nasty or unsanitary.
🙅 They instinctively pull away.
🧠 Their brain signals: this might not be safe.
Disgust started as a way to protect us from physical harm, like germs or bad food. Today, we understand it as our body’s natural ‘rejection’ response to things that feel unpleasant or wrong. For young people, this emotion is a powerful tool. It helps them listen to their inner voice and set healthy boundaries in their friendships and social lives.
For parents and guardians, this is an important moment for conversation.
When young people experience disgust, it can help them learn to:
- Recognize when something feels unsafe or unhealthy
• Trust their instincts about situations or behaviours
• Develop personal boundaries
• Understand the difference between curiosity and discomfort
Young people do not always have the words to explain why something feels “gross” or wrong. Talking about emotions like disgust helps them understand that these reactions are normal and meaningful.
It also reinforces an important message: their feelings matter and can help guide their choices.
By supporting young people in recognizing and naming this emotion, families help build emotional literacy and stronger self-protection skills.
👉 Watch the new DISGUST animation:
EN: https://youtu.be/Cg6uBpE2kPw
RO: https://youtu.be/q7PRKDFSxDQ
Through animation, emotional literacy, and participatory learning, the EMBRACE CERV PROJECT supports children, families, and educators in building emotional awareness and resilience – one feeling at a time.
Funding Agency: EACEA – European Education and Culture Executive Agency
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu
