If you are ever unexplained by someone, you are likely to have experienced “ICK”. Here … [+]
Have you ever been on a date where everything looked good until they did it one thing? Perhaps they had strange, indecent ways, they used steep wolf words or chose a dress for the date that it was inexplicably revolted.
That visceral reaction, known as “Ick“It is a very popular experience for many dates. It is unexpected, involuntary and often impossible to shock. And now, a 2025 study from Personality and individual changes confirms three major psychological factors that contribute to ICK.
Here’s what the researchers revealed – and what they think “ICK” really means.
Exactly what exactly is ‘ICK’?
The term “ICK” has gained significant attraction to social media – especially among the younger generations that use it to describe a sudden and irrational feeling of repulse towards a romantic interest.
While it may seem like a modern phenomenon of the meeting, the leading authors of the study – Brian Collisson, Eliana Saunders and Chloe Yin – the most ICK is likely to have much deeper evolutionary roots.
As the authors explained in a interview“‘Ick’ stemmed from the evolution of disgust as a defense mechanism.” They continued, explaining, “first was against the illness, and then in selecting spouses to help individuals avoid undesirable traits. This disgust was always present, the only difference being that this generation gave a name. “
Millions of years ago, caves and women probably got ICK if their potential spouse exhibited a lack of survival skills, poor parental potential, physical deformities, poor hygiene or illness. Since illness, weakness or risk can delete entire groups during early civilization, it was essential to remove these features. As such, they have probably avoided procurement with anyone from the “Icky” distance.
However, today, ICK looks much different – really so. However, at their core, each ICK represents a “weakness” of types; In a way, they are modern analogous to what our ancestors are likely to consider indecisive to a potential spouse.
According to the analyzes of viral tickers researchers – in which users described their ICK – there were several categories. These included but were not limited to:
- Gender non -involvement. 40% of women and 13% of men were turned off by people who displayed behaviors that were out of character for their gender. For example, a man quoted, “when she spits her gum in the trash like a boy,” while a woman quoted, “when he put her head on my shoulder.”
- Public discomfort. 28% of women and 21% of men were turned off by people who publicly embarrassed themselves. A man described being weak by “Girls Tracing” while a woman described that she was repulsed by a man “Shazam-Ing a song while in a nightclub”.
- Being very trendy. 29% of men and 9% of women did not like when potential partners tried to deal with modern tendencies. For example, women did not like men who were “trying hard to fit” while men did not like women who were “in astrology”.
- Physical appearance. 15% of men and 6% of women mentioned random issues with the physical appearance of others as an ICK. For example, a woman described her that she was repulsed by “seeing their butt when bending”, while a man described that she was turned off by the fact that “her legs did not reach the floor” when she sat down.
In general, ICK takes different forms. But, simply, it reflects a small perceived character of the character that becomes impossible not to notice once.
Researchers also found that women (75%) were much more likely to experience ICK than men (57%). Reflecting on this, the researchers explained that this is likely a combination of social and biological factors: “From a biological point of view, women can experience it more because of parental investments.”
It continued, “however, social media is like a speaker that strengthens to create normalization. It can be an internal behavior of the selection of spouses proven through social reinforcement.”
However, beyond gender and evolution remains the question: why do some people experience ICK much more than others? According to the study, three main psychological traits play an important role:
1. Sensitivity of disgust
The sensitivity of disgust refers to how strongly reacts an individual to things they see disgusting – be it bad hygiene, strange ways, or certain social behavior. Researchers found that the greatest sensitivity of disgust was associated with both the likelihood and the frequency of experiencing ICK.
So people who have a disgust on small signs are more likely to reject a romantic partner about things that may seem irrelevant. Since disgust evolved as a defense mechanism, this suggests that some people’s refusal thresholds are rigid to be particularly high – which, of course, can make the meeting much more difficult.
2. Narcissus
Narcissism, in the context of this study, does not necessarily mean a disorder of complete narcissistic personality, but rather a tendency towards self-importance, law and need for admiration.
The study found that narcissism was related to the likelihood – but not the frequency – to experience ICK. This means that narcissistic individuals may not often get ICK-but when they do so, they are more likely to be because their partner does not match their idealized self-images.
Since those with narcissistic tendencies often seek partners who exalt their social status, any perceived imperfection – no matter how small – may be the reason for rejection.
3. Perfectionism
Unlike narcissism, perfectionism was associated with both the likelihood and the frequency of experiencing ICK. This suggests that individuals with very solid, high standards for partners tend to experience ICK more often and more intensely.
The perfectionists also have an idealized vision of what a relationship should look like, and any deviation from that vision – whether it’s a partner’s fashion choices, social annoyance or small quirks – it can potentially be a trader.
While high standards can have their advantages, excessive perfectionism makes it more difficult to maintain relationships in the long run. As researchers explain, “there is an indication that” ICK “has less true incompatibility, and more about unrealistic expectations and the deviation of an ideal partner.”
What do you really mean ‘ick’
ICK, at its core, is a social and psychological phenomenon. It can be an immediate intestinal reaction rooted in evolutionary instincts, but it can also be a cognitive prejudice that leads to self-esteem habits of the meeting.
The conflict here is the context. If you have experienced ICK often and with different partners, it may not be a sign that everyone you are meeting are inappropriate. In reality, it is likely to reflect an internal pattern that is It is worth reflecting on.
Having standards in the meeting is important, but too solid ones can make it impossible to find a partner that suits your “compatible” idea. That small, strange habit of concentrating hyper may not mean that your partner is hopeless-it means they are human, just like you.
We know well that no one on Earth is really perfect, but our standards assume differently. Worse, social media legitimizes these inaccessible criteria by certifying small turns as indicators of agreements. However, in the real world, you cannot have a loving relationship without learning to accept imperfection; Searching for someone perfect will leave you empty.
After all, experiencing ICK is more of a neutral event than is a good or bad thing – depends only on the way you interpret it. If you are preventing you from forming a long -term relationship, however, it may be time to examine whether perfectionism or unrealistic expectations are taking the road.
That being said, if ICK is persistent with a special person, then this may be worth paying attention to. Attraction is not always a pure balance between logic and lust; It also includes instincts and biology.
Thanks to evolution, your mind and body have evolved to detect delicate signs of compliance-and if something about your partner is constantly out, it may be your subconscious telling you that they are not the right fit.
Does your current “ICK” partner give you? Take this science -backed test and find out if it is a reflective of something deeper: The degree of satisfaction of the relationship