Computational Commensality: From Theories to Computational Models for Social Food Preparation and Consumption in HCI

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Social Psychology
• Food Studies

Background:

• Food and eating are fundamentally social activities, with shared meals (commensality) positively influencing food intake, choice, and satisfaction.
• Existing Human-Computer Interaction research has primarily focused on individual mealtime experiences, neglecting the social dimension of food consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and explore the concept of Computational Commensality, which involves using technology to address the social aspects of food and eating.
• To bridge the gap between social psychology research on the importance of shared eating and the development of relevant computational technologies.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing social psychology research on the significance of Food- and Eating-related Activities (F&EA).
• Surveying current computational models and technologies applicable to Computational Commensality.
• Identifying research challenges and future applications.

Main Results:

• Social psychology confirms the significant positive impact of commensality on various aspects of the dining experience.
• A review of existing technologies indicates potential for developing computational solutions for shared mealtimes.
• The study highlights the need for a shift towards socially-aware technologies in the context of food and eating.

Conclusions:

• Computational Commensality offers a new technological perspective to enhance the social experience of eating.
• Future research should focus on developing and evaluating technologies that support and improve shared dining experiences.
• Integrating social and computational approaches can lead to significant improvements in Food- and Eating-related Activities from a commensality viewpoint.