Eating behaviour - preferences Flashcards
Describe the basis of the evolutionary explanation for food preferences
Evolutionist’s argue our food preferences are INNATE and originate from our life on the African Savanah.
what is evolution
Evolution is the change of characteristics in organisms overgeneration’s to survive in their environment
what innate food preferences do humans have?
fat, sweet and salty
explain human preference for salty foods
salts are essential for repairing muscles and balancing body water levels
explain human preference for sweet foods
high calories = bursts of energy, indicates a lack of poison and helps survival
explain human preference for fatty foods
Foods high in fat would’ve helped our ancestors because they’re the most efficient source of energy which is important for survival. Also, helps keep people warm.
what is food neophobia?
innate disposition for an unwillingness to try new foods it is most pronounced in childhood tween ages 2-6
why do humans have neophobia?
to avoid food that could be life threatening or could induce illness
when does neophobia go?
when we start to learn that not all new foods will have fatal consequences.
this gives way to a new evolutionary mechanism that gives way to maintaining a balanced healthy diet
what are the explanations for food preferences?
behaviorist/learning
evolutionary
what was life like (in terms of food) on the african savanah?
we were hunters/gatherers in small groups
we struggled to get food
and our food preferences can be traced back to this time
describe taste aversion
- we have the ability to detect and reject bitter and sweet tastes
- this makes sense because it would have protected us from toxic foods which are commonly bitter
who is more sensitive to taste aversion/ sour foods
children
why do children have stronger taste aversions and why do they grow out of it
- we have an innate disposition for neophobia
- this diminishes as we learn through our environment that not all food is toxic
what two factors does the SLT theory say influence our eating behaviour
social and cultural factors