Why are so many people grossed out by carcasses (and pieces of it) but not by skeletons or dry bones?
In: Biology
I would expect to contract a disease by touching a carcass but I don’t have the same expectations with bones.
I believe the effect of the uncanny valley plays into it. Since it’s about perception and not hard facts, this theory could explain it well.
If you’re seeing a live human/animal, you relate to them visually because you’re used to the imagery, so it doesn’t cause discomfort.
If you see bones, skulls etc, you know it once was someone similar to you, but not now, so it does unsettle you, but not much.
A carcass is more similar to a body, with more things to approximate the figure of a live creature, but not close enough to be relatable, nor distant enough to leave you indifferent. It’s that uncanny valley, the “middle” of the way so to speak, which causes this unsettling feeling.
My theory is that it’s more relatable. You see the muscle and flesh, eyes, nose, etc and it is in the process of decomposition. One may think “this could be me”. Bones are simply bones and skeletons look cool
Latest Answers