Hedonic contrast and the short-term stimulation of appetite

Hedonic contrast describes how liking for one item is influenced by the recent experience of other items which differ in hedonic valence. In the context of food stimuli, there is abundant evidence that hedonic contrast alters liking, but limited information on its impact on intake, and the aim here was to further clarify how hedonic impact modifies intake. Participants (96 female volunteers) rated and consumed ad libitum a sequence of four bowls of a snack (potato crisps) in one of three conditions. In the Palatable (salted crisps) and Bland (unsalted crisps) conditions, all four bowls were the same. In the Contrast condition participants alternated between salted and unsalted crisps. In total, significantly more was consumed in the Palatable (35.0 ± 2.6 g) than Bland (26.6 ± 2.4 g) condition, but most was consumed in the Contrast condition (37.0 ± 1.6 g). The impact of hedonic contrast was seen in the third serving, where those in the Contrast condition consumed the most of any serving, and significantly more than in Palatable or Bland conditions, and at the final serving, when those in the Contrast condition consumed significantly less than in Bland or Palatable conditions. Rated liking for the foods showed a similar pattern, with liking decreasing across servings in Palatable and Bland conditions. However, liking was influenced by the preceding serving in the Contrast condition, and the change in liking produced by contrast predicted subsequent intake. Overall, these data provide clear evidence that hedonic contrast can influence consumption, with intake driven by this adjusted liking.

Food-based social comparisons influence liking and consumption

This study examined the effects of food-based social comparisons on hedonic ratings and consumption of a meal. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions in which they were led to believe that they got a worse meal, a better meal, or the same meal as another participant. They then tasted and rated their own meal. Subsequent liking and ad lib food consumption were measured. Participants who were told that another person got a better meal than they did (upward comparison) liked their meal less than if they were told that another person received either the same meal as they did or a worse meal (downward comparison). Similarly, participants who were in the upward comparison condition ate less food than if they were in the control or downward comparison conditions. Consumption was mediated by liking. The results suggest that being told that someone else is eating a meal that is higher or lower in hedonic value than one's own meal induces hedonic contrast and influences liking and consumption.