Got the ick? Dating, disgust and evolutionary psychology

Got the ick? Dating, disgust and evolutionary psychology

Author: ABC Australia December 27, 2025 Duration: 29:36
Have you ever experienced "the ick"? It's that sudden, visceral feeling of being put off by someone you're dating. Maybe it's their hat, a hobby or even the way they laugh. Stories of the ick are prolific online, but it leaves us with a question - what causes it?  To separate red flags from disgust, we get into the psychology of the ick - why you might feel icky, if it should be a deal breaker, and what it says about your own attachment style. You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode first aired in March 2025. Guests: Michaela Single and ick-prone Adam Horvath Clinical Psychologist at Personal Psychology Professor Gery Karantzas, PhD Couples therapist Director, Science of Adult Relationships laboratory Deakin University Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineers: Tegan Nicholls and Michael Grossman You can find the transcript for this episode on its original webpage here. More information: The ick: Disgust sensitivity, narcissism, and perfectionism in mate choice thresholds

Ever wondered what's really happening inside your head? Each week, All In The Mind from ABC Australia ventures into the complex landscape of human thought and feeling. This isn't just a dry science lecture; it's a thoughtful exploration of the experiences that shape us, hosted by curious minds who know how to tell a compelling story. You'll hear conversations that bridge the gap between scientific research and the messy reality of daily life, delving into topics as diverse as the mechanisms of memory, the challenges of breaking an addiction, or the ethical puzzles posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions are grounded and accessible, making the inner workings of the brain relevant to anyone interested in health, behaviour, or simply understanding themselves a little better. By tuning into this podcast, you join a community considering how our mental universe influences everything from our personal fitness to our social connections. It’s a weekly opportunity to pause and reflect on the fascinating forces-both biological and psychological-that drive what we do and who we are. The production brings together expert insights with genuine human stories, creating a space where complex ideas about the mind and behaviour are unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
Our millennia-long obsession with immortality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:05
Would you want to live forever? The rich and powerful certainly do. There are numerous examples throughout history of people going to extreme lengths in search of immortality. These days, it's Silicon Valley tech bros, t…
Pretty privilege, surgery stigma and the cosmetic procedure paradox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:35
Cosmetic procedures aren't reserved for celebrities anymore - they're becoming more and more accessible for every day people. So if we're able to alter our looks or avoid the appearance of aging altogether, what impact d…
The psychology behind our moral outrage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:37
Politics, war, abortion, gun control — why do some topics make us so outraged? One theory is that our preoccupation with preventing harm is to blame. So today, we examine how humans developed morality, why we differ in w…
Staying sane in space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
In the last couple of weeks, a lot of people have been getting excited about space exploration thanks to Artemis II. So this week, we revisit an episode from our archives all about life as an astronaut and the psychologi…
Mind Hacks with Dr Billy Garvey: "being a bit kinder to myself" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:54
Welcome back to All in the Mind's little sister: Mind Hacks. In this episode, we're joined by developmental paediatrician and co-host of Pop Culture Parenting, Dr Billy Garvey. From self compassion to channelling anger i…
The psychology of masturbation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
This week we're talking about something intimate… and sometimes taboo: masturbation. From self-love, to disordered behaviour and back again, we explore how our perceptions of masturbation have changed over the course of…
Mind Hacks: Casey Beros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Welcome back to All in the Mind's little sister: Mind Hacks. In this episode, health journalist and author Casey Beros on managing your inner critic, balancing competing appetites for more and less in life, and filtering…
Tough conversations and anticipatory grief: being a carer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
When Casey Beros' dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma, she knew her entire world would change. More than three million Australians are carers — a role people are often thrust into without any kind of map. So based on her…