title: Physiological responses of food neophobics and food neophilics to food and non-food stimuli.
abstract: Individual differences in human food neophobia (the reluctance to try novel foods) and food neophilia (the overt willingness to try novel foods) influence the evaluation of tastes and odors, as well as the sampling of such stimuli. Past research also notes an association of food neophobia to PTC sensitivity, body weight, and cephalic phase salivary response. The present study assessed physiological reactions of food neophobics and neophilics to pictures of food and non-food stimuli. Stimuli pictures were presented in random order on a computer screen for a period of 5 min. No significant differences were found between the groups in relation to non-food stimuli. However, pulse, GSR, and respirations were significantly increased in food neophobics when presented pictures of food stimuli. Thus, further evidence is provided to support a physiological component at least partially responsible for differences noted between neophobics and neophilics in sensitivity, psychophysical ratings, and "willingness to try" personality. Such a component may also lead to differences in weight, nutrition, and overall health.
authors.affiliation: Wheeling Jesuit University, Department of Psychology, 316 Washington Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003, USA. raudenbc@wju.edu
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Raudenbush
authors.forename: August
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capiola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003463:Cues; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D010551:Personality; D010698:Phobic Disorders; D011674:Pulse; D012119:Respiration; D013649:Taste; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult