Even in today's world, where we're still dealing with issues like COVID-19, our natural reactions to getting sick aren't just about staying healthy—they also influence how we perceive and interact with other people. The "behavioral immune system" (BIS) is a set of built-in mental tools that humans have evolved to protect themselves from diseases by making them avoid risks, often through feelings like disgust. This system doesn't only make us back away from obvious dangers like rotten food or open sores; it can also contribute to unfair biases against groups that seem "different" or not worth interacting with. Based on a recent review by experts Florian van Leeuwen, Bastian Jaeger, and Joshua M. Tybur entitled A behavioural immune system perspective, on disgust and social prejudice this post examines how these ancient survival instincts influence modern prejudices, focusing on the "better safe than sorry" mindset and why a deeper understanding of it is necessary to combat unnecessary discrimination.

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