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Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
Published on: June 5, 2016
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Approach avoidance training in the eating domain: testing the effectiveness across three single session studies.
Daniela Becker1, Nils B Jostmann1, Reinout W Wiers2
1Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Appetite
|December 3, 2014
Summary
Approach avoidance training did not effectively alter food preferences or eating behaviors in a student population. Further research is needed to explore its potential for managing maladaptive eating patterns.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Eating behavior research
- Cognitive science
Background:
- Dual-process models link impulsive behavior to maladaptive eating.
- Approach avoidance training modifies automatic responses to stimuli.
- Previous research shows effectiveness outside the eating domain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of approach avoidance training for modifying eating behaviors.
- To assess changes in implicit and explicit food preferences.
- To evaluate its impact on maladaptive eating patterns.
Main Methods:
- Three single-session studies with 258 normal-weight female students.
- Experimental manipulation involving approach/avoidance training with food images.
- Varied methodologies across studies to test robustness.
Main Results:
- No conclusive evidence found for approach avoidance training's effectiveness.
- No significant changes observed in implicit/explicit food preferences.
- No demonstrable impact on eating behavior was detected.
Conclusions:
- Approach avoidance training may have limited efficacy in the eating domain.
- Potential limitations and future research directions are discussed.
- Further investigation is required to optimize this intervention for eating behaviors.
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