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Updated: May 2, 2026
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Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
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Stimulus collative properties and consumers' flavor preferences.
Davide Giacalone1, Mette Duerlund1, Jannie Bøegh-Petersen1
1Sensory and Consumer Science Section, Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Appetite
|March 4, 2014
Summary
Consumers
Area of Science:
- Sensory Science
- Consumer Psychology
- Aesthetic Theory
Background:
- Berlyne's collative-motivational model posits that aesthetic preferences depend on a stimulus's arousal potential, determined by collative properties like novelty, familiarity, and complexity.
- This model suggests an inverted "U" relationship between arousal potential and hedonic response, with an optimal point at moderate arousal.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for predicting consumer responses to novel products and sensory experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate consumers' hedonic responses to flavor stimuli within the framework of Berlyne's collative-motivational model.
- To examine the relationship between specific collative properties (novelty, familiarity, complexity) and hedonic ratings of novel beers.
- To explore how individual consumer characteristics moderate these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Three independent studies were conducted using novel beer stimuli.
- Participants reported their hedonic responses and rated the novelty, familiarity, and complexity of the beers.
- Polynomial regression analysis was used to explore the relationships between collative properties and hedonic ratings, with moderation analyses for consumer characteristics.
Main Results:
- A curvilinear relationship was observed between perceived novelty and hedonic response, aligning with Berlyne's predictions.
- Results for familiarity and complexity showed mixed patterns, not fully supporting the model.
- Higher product knowledge significantly reduced perceived complexity and novelty, indicating a learning effect.
Conclusions:
- Perceived novelty plays a significant role in hedonic response to flavor stimuli, consistent with aesthetic theory.
- The influence of familiarity and complexity on hedonic response is less straightforward and may depend on context.
- Consumer characteristics, particularly product knowledge, can significantly alter the perception of stimulus properties and subsequent hedonic judgments.
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