This study examined attitudes towards three unpopular animals (mice, snails, and woodlice) in a group of youth. One group was exposed to animals from these three species, while the other was not. At the conclusion of the study, the youth who had hands-on contact in the classroom reported far fewer feelings of disgust and fear in relation to these animals than the control group. The idea that perceptions of animals can be positively shaped by physical contact is an interesting one for advocates to consider as they seek to improve the plight of so-called pests, while also avoiding situations where humans interact with these animals in an exploitive way.

[Abstract excerpted from original source.]

“Disgust and fear are basic emotions that protect humans against pathogens and/or predators. Natural selection favored individuals who successfully escaped or avoided harmful animals; thus animals who pose a disease threat activate aversive responses in humans. However, all these animals who are generally disliked have rights to their own existence and play important roles in ecosystems. Here, we used three unpopular live animals (wood louse, snail, and mouse) in practical biology work with 11-13-year-old children (experimental group). The control group had no opportunity to work with animals. Reported disgust and fear of these animals significantly decreased during the study in the experimental group but not in the control group. This study experimentally supports the idea that attitudes toward animals are positively influenced by physical contact with them.”