FOOD PSYCHOLOGY

Food psychology studies what, when, how and why we as human beings eat. Better understanding the answers to these questions can help individuals and families become and stay healthy, and help people, economies and governments save money on health care.

Researchers at Cornell University’s innovative Food & Brand Lab, led by eating behavior expert Dr. Brian Wansink, have been doing fascinating research in food psychology. Using what you know about food and eating behavior, can you figure out which of the following statements are true and which are false, per Cornell Food & Brand Lab researchers?

 

Food psychology studies what, when, how and why we as human beings eat. Better understanding the answers to these questions can help individuals and families become and stay healthy, and help people, economies and governments save money on health care.

Researchers at Cornell University’s innovative Food & Brand Lab, led by eating behavior expert Dr. Brian Wansink, have been doing fascinating research in food psychology. Using what you know about food and eating behavior, can you figure out which of the following statements are true and which are false, per Cornell Food & Brand Lab researchers?

1. True or False? Softer lighting and music in restaurants leads customers to stay longer and eat more than they do in settings with brighter lighting and harsher music.
2. True or False? Obese people are much less likely than normal weight people to use chopsticks at all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets.
3. True or False? While advertising can work, changing the names of vegetables – say from “carrots” to “X-Ray Vision Carrots” alone does not significantly boost kids’ intake of vegetables.
4. True or False? People eating restaurant meals they perceive to be healthy are also less likely to order side dishes, drinks and desserts than people eating meals they perceive to be unhealthy.
5. True or False? Just using smaller plates and bowls will get people to eat less.