A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
The Yuck Factor : Reiterating Insect-Eating (and Otherness) Through Disgust  (2023)

Kosonen, H. (2023). The Yuck Factor : Reiterating Insect-Eating (and Otherness) Through Disgust . In M. Ryynänen, H. Kosonen, & S. Ylönen (Eds.), Cultural Approaches to Disgust and the Visceral (pp. 90-103). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003205364-10

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kosonen, Heidi

Parent publication: Cultural Approaches to Disgust and the Visceral

Parent publication editors: Ryynänen, Max; Kosonen, Heidi; Ylönen, Susanne

ISBN:  978-1-032-06378-2

eISBN: 978-1-003-20536-4

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 25/08/2022

Pages range: 90-103

Number of pages in the book: 242

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003205364-10

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82881

Abstract

In this chapter, representing critical cultural studies and visual studies, I consider insect-eating’s media portrayals by employing discourse analysis, semiology, and visual analysis methods. I conduct a qualitative analysis of the textual and visual elements in selected media portrayals of entomophagy. The focus is on Anglophone media iterations between 2013-2020, discovered online through Google searches Spring 2019 and Spring 2021. I am particularly interested in disgust’s role in mediating entomophagy to mass audiences. Through theories of this visceral emotion, I discuss the main ways historical Western representations of revulsion against insects and insect-eating resurface despite the food industry’s attempts at presenting insect-eating as appetizing. The theoretical backbone of my analysis lies in the paradigm of socio-cultural construction, which explores how cultural discourses and representations shape emotions, conceptions, and norms - including thoughts related to what is disgusting. My take on entomophagy is here affected by anthropological and post-colonial perspectives on food and foodways, which render poignant not only disgusting foods’ socio-cultural construction but also their socio-cultural and moral functions in drawing boundaries and distinctions between groups of people.

Keywords: edible insects; insects; aversion; media; news; cultural research; sociocultural factors; otherness; norms; discourse analysis

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 3