The power of social influence over food intake: examining the effects of attentional bias and impulsivity

The British Journal of Nutrition
Roel C J HermansRutger C M E Engels

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that people adjust their intake directly to that of their eating companions. A potential explanation for this modelling effect is that the eating behaviour of others operates as an external eating cue that stimulates food intake. The present study explored whether this cue-reactive mechanism can account for modelling effects on intake. It was investigated whether attentional bias towards dynamic eating cues and impulsivity would influence the degree of modelling. Participants completed one individual session and one session in which an experimental confederate accompanied them. In the first session, eye movements were recorded as an index of attentional bias to dynamic eating cues. In addition, self-reported impulsivity and response inhibition were assessed. The second session employed a between-participants design with three experimental conditions in which participants were exposed to a same-sex confederate instructed to eat nothing, a low or a large amount of M&Ms. A total of eighty-five young women participated. The participants' self-reported impulsivity determined the occurrence of modelling; only low-impulsive women adjusted their intake to that of their eating companion. Attention towards eat...Continue Reading

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Jul 8, 2011·The British Journal of Nutrition·Roel C J HermansRutger C M E Engels
Jul 20, 2011·Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·Jessica WerthmannAnita Jansen

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Citations

Feb 24, 2016·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Savani BartholdyUlrike Schmidt
Sep 9, 2015·Eating Behaviors·Elizabeth HirataSonia Lippke
Jul 3, 2015·Psychology & Health·Eric RobinsonRoel C J Hermans
Sep 1, 2014·Appetite·Janet H W van den Boer, Monica Mars

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