title: A Role for Identification in the Gradual Decline in the Pleasantness of Flavors With Age.
abstract: This study investigated a possible role for identification in the decline in flavor pleasantness with age.
  
  
  
  Two hundred sixty-four individuals aged from 16 to 85 years tasted 6 flavored drinks of varying identity and ease of identification, and rated each on pleasantness, a range of other characteristics and identified all flavors.
  
  
  
  Using regression, firstly, pleasantness was inversely associated with age (β = -0.22, p < .01). Secondly, the decline in pleasantness with age was associated with poorer identification (β = 0.30, p < .01), lower perceptions of sweetness (β = 0.01, p < .01), lower strength of flavor (β = 0.00, p = .02), lower familiarity (β = 0.01, p < .01), and a lower frequency of usual drink consumption (β = 0.04, p < .01). Thirdly, improved identification with age was associated with increased drink familiarity (β =< 0.01, p < .01), coloration compared with no color (β = <0.06, p < .01), and correct compared with incorrect coloration (β = <0.27, p < .01).
  
  
  
  These findings demonstrate a clear role for identification in the decline in flavor pleasantness with age. These findings thus provide clear evidence for a cognitive and perceptual element to these hedonic processes. Our findings suggest that likings for flavors in older individuals may be increased/maintained through the use of improved visual cues, easily recognizable foods, and/or identity labels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK. k.appleton@bournemouth.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Appleton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057181:Pleasure / Q000502:physiology*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aging; Cognitive; Flavor; Hedonic; Identity; Taste