Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
Published on: June 5, 2016
Are we aware of the external factors that influence our food intake?
Lenny R Vartanian1, C Peter Herman, Brian Wansink
1Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-2340, USA. lrvartan@syr.edu
Objectives:
This research examines the extent to which people accurately report some of the external influences on their food intake.
Design:
In two studies, specific factors (the presence and behavior of others) were manipulated in order to influence the amount of food that individuals consumed.
Main Outcome Measures:
The main outcomes of interest were participants' spontaneously generated explanations for their food intake (Study 1; n = 122), and their ratings of the importance of several potential determinants of food intake (Study 2; n = 75).
Results:
In Study 1, there was high concordance between the amounts eaten by members of a dyad, but very few participants indicated that they were influenced by their partner's behavior; they instead identified hunger and taste as the primary determinants of intake. Study 2 showed that participants' intake was strongly influenced by the behavior of others, but people rated taste and hunger as much more important influences on their intake.
Conclusions:
If external environmental factors influence people's food intake without their awareness or acknowledgment, then maintaining a healthy diet can be a challenge, with long-term consequences for health and well-being.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Food Intake
Factors Affecting Perception
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
Cause and Effect
Taste Buds and Receptors
Confirmation Biases
Dimensions of Health and Illness

