| 1. |
- Andersson, Hanna, 1991-, et al.
(författare)
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Anchoring effect in judgments of objective fact and subjective preference
- 2021
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 88
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The way by which various sources of external information interact in their effects on judgment is rarely investigated. Here, we report two experiments that examine how two sources of external information—an anchor (a reference price) and an eco-label—influence judgments of an objective fact (product price) and a subjective preference (willingness-to-pay for the product). Participants’ price judgments were drawn in the direction of the anchor point, whereas the eco-label resulted in higher judgments of objective fact (Experiment 1) but did not influence subjective preference (Experiment 2). Interestingly, the eco-label seemed to strengthen the effect of the high anchor in judgments of objective fact. Further, participants with higher environmental concern answered a higher price on the subjective preference questions when they received a high anchor, as well as a lower price when they received a low anchor in comparison to the low environmental concern group. This study demonstrates that various external information sources can strengthen each other’s effects on consumer belief about products, while the effects are weaker for consumers’ preferences. The implications of the results for decision making are discussed.
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| 2. |
- Armbrecht, John, et al.
(författare)
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A segmentation of fish consumers based on quantity and type of fish: Insights from the Swedish market
- 2023
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - 0950-3293. ; 112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The primary objective of this study is to elucidate the underlying factors contributing to the observed differences in fish consumption patterns. To accomplish this, a segmentation analysis was conducted on a representative sample of 2207 individuals from Sweden based on the dual dimensions of both the volume and variety of fish ingested. By scrutinizing these facets, the aim is to gain deeper insights into the distinct consumer archetypes characterized by their diverse fish consumption habits, thus uncovering the catalysts and deterrents that influence these patterns. The outcome of the segmentation analysis (i.e., two-step analysis: hierarchical clustering followed by non-hierarchical clustering technique) reveals four distinct consumer segments, each possessing unique attributes concerning their preferences and behaviours regarding fish consumption. These segments are classified as the “Frequent,” “Avid,” “Occasional,” and “Infrequent” fish consumers. The profiling of these segments is built on factors encompassing consumers' decision-making styles, involvement in food, environmental consciousness, as well as pertinent socio-economic variables including income, geographical location, age, educational attainment, and gender. Evident from the findings is the clear demarcation of two segments characterized by robust fish consumption tendencies, specifically the “Frequent” and “Avid” segments. Subsequently, there exists a segment showcasing moderately pronounced fish consumption behaviours labelled as the “Occasional” consumer group, in contrast to a segment demonstrating a markedly diminished inclination for fish consumption, denoted as the “Infrequent” consumer. All segments score high on habitual and brand-loyal purchasing intentions which emphasize the routine nature of fish consumption behaviour. In a broader context, the study underscores the inherent utility of segmenting consumers based on fish consumption volume and type, as this approach yields distinct consumer groups that can be systematically addressed by stakeholders ranging from policy makers to producers and other seafood advocates.
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| 3. |
- Aschemann-Witzel, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
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Consumer associations about other buyers of suboptimal food – And what it means for food waste avoidance actions
- 2020
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 80
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One approach to tackling the imminent sustainability problem of food waste is to sell suboptimal food which otherwise might be wasted. However, understanding how the action of buying price-reduced suboptimal food is influenced by the fact that the consumer purchases it publicly while observed by others is yet unexplored. The present research investigates which associations consumers form when they see other consumers purchasing suboptimal foods. In an online experimental survey, consumers of five European countries checked every word that applied (CATA) from a set of items that described what choosing a food item told them about an acquaintance they met in the store in terms of his or her traits. The food item was optimal or suboptimal, fresh or packaged food, and presented with a communication that either underlined a budget saving benefit or a contribution to avoiding food waste. Results show that consumers of suboptimal products are regarded as economic and thrifty, as well as frugal and environmentally concerned. The associations with consumers of optimal products are more diverse, and include both positive and negative wordings, ranging from successful to fussy and inattentive. Consumers’ own level of environmental concerns and value consciousness explain the degree to which they perceive another consumer to have similar traits, revealing that consumers project their own traits on others. Findings imply that stores offering suboptimal food should present and communicate the items in line with the characteristics of the store's target group, and that suboptimal food choices can trigger positive associations.
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| 4. |
- Benjamins, Jeroen S., et al.
(författare)
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The influence of acute partial sleep deprivation on liking, choosing and consuming high- and low-energy foods
- 2021
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 88
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A wealth of cross-sectional studies found a link between sleep deprivation and food-related outcomes like energy intake and BMI. Recent experimental studies suggest that this link is causal. However, the mechanisms through which sleep deprivation influences intake remain unclear. Here, we tested two prevailing hypotheses: that sleep deprivation leads to 1) increased food reward sensitivity and 2) decreased food-related self-control. In a within-subject study (n = 60 normal-weight females), we compared outcome measures under normal sleep and partial sleep deprivation conditions. Our outcome measures were 1) proxies for food reward sensitivity - liking of high and low energy foods, 2) binary food choices ranging in level of self-control conflict, and 3) intake of high and low energy foods. Eye-movements during food choice were measured with an eye-tracker to gain insights in implicit food choice processes. Food reward sensitivity outcomes showed a lower liking of low energy foods after partial sleep deprivation. More high energy foods were chosen after partial sleep deprivation independent of the level of self-control conflict. Intake of high energy foods was higher in the partial sleep deprivation condition. Lastly, the number of gaze switches between high and low energy foods, an implicit measure of conflict in choice, was lower in the high-conflict trials after sleep deprivation than after a normal night sleep. To conclude, the increased intake of high energy foods after sleep deprivation may be driven by a decreased liking of low energy foods, rather than an increased liking of high energy foods. Further, sleep deprivation may affect self-control conflict detection as indicated by a lower number of gaze switches between food options.
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| 5. |
- Bolos, Laura Andreea, et al.
(författare)
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In the eye of the beholder : Expected and actual liking for apples with visual imperfections
- 2021
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Food appearance is an important determinant for expected and actual liking, but some food is not even available for purchase due to visual imperfections. In two studies conducted with 130 participants in Sweden, we measured consumers’ expected and actual liking for different apples with three types of visual imperfection (color, shape and damage). We investigated the effects of apples’ visual characteristics on expected liking and whether or not this relationship is mediated by emotions and attitudes. Secondly, we investigated how actual liking differed between the groups of apples, and how it differed from expected liking. Results indicated that attitudes are the strongest mediator between visual characteristics of apples and expected liking. Moreover, participants indicated higher expected liking for color and shape imperfections relative to damaged apples. Results from the second study indicated a significant difference between expected and actual liking, and less variability in actual liking between the apple groups relative to the variability in expected liking. It can be concluded that the visual characteristics of apples influence both expected and actual liking, the practical implication for retailers being a need to carefully distinguish between the different types of visual sub-optimality and to keep the products that have a higher chance to be chosen (sub-optimal in shape and colour). Thus, these results generate a clearer understanding of visual sub-optimality, and can be incorporated in strategies for reducing food waste in stores.
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| 6. |
- Burro, Roberto, et al.
(författare)
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Is there an association between consumers’ personality traits and the sensory characteristics they look for in wine?
- 2023
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier BV. - 0950-3293. ; 105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigates the link between the personality profiles and socio-demographic characteristics of wine consumers and the sensory characteristics of the wines they prefer. This was measured in terms of a self-reported list of the wines they like and buy. The 1176 Italian adults who participated were asked to complete an online form. Information was collected regarding certain socio-demographic details and the participants’ personality profile (established by means of the Big Five Inventory 2 by Soto & John, 2017). The participants were then asked to specify their favorite types of wines (open response: “Which wines do you like the most? Please list the wines that you like and buy”). The sensory profiles of the 258 wines in total listed by the participants were described by four of the experimenters (based on official reviews) in terms of eight variables: the degree of Alcohol, Acidity, Sweetness, Body, Tannicity, Sapidity, Persistence and Complexity of bouquet.Various associations were found between the sensory characteristics of the wines listed and the socio-demographic characteristics analyzed (gender, age and wine expertise), and between the sensory characteristics of the wines and the participants’ personality traits. For example, we found that extroverts prefer more acidic wines, sociable people like wines characterized by a high alcohol content and with a more complex bouquet, people with high emotional stability prefer tannic, persistent, full-bodied wines and open-minded people favor wines with a persistent flavor and high levels of tannicity while they don't like sapidity. Almost all of these associations were consistent across gender. The study contributes to academic research on the relationships between consumers' characteristics and their wine preferences, and it provides insights which are interesting for the wine industry and other wine distribution channels in terms of market orientation.
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| 7. |
- Collier, Elizabeth S, et al.
(författare)
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Just a matter of taste? : Understanding rationalizations for dairy consumption and their associations with sensory expectations of plant-based milk alternatives
- 2023
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier BV. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 104
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although knowledge surrounding the obstacles omnivorous consumers face when substituting meat products with plant-based alternatives has increased dramatically, less is known about their perspectives on plant-based alternatives to dairy products. Here, these perspectives are assessed in two survey-based studies. Study 1 (N = 175) adapts an existing scale (the 4Ns of meat consumption) to dairy products in an effort to identify similarities and differences between rationalizations for meat and dairy consumption. This 16-item scale quantifies four factors (Natural, Necessary, Normal, and Nice) describing common rationalizations for meat consumption. The results revealed that the 4Ns transfer well to the dairy category, and that endorsement of dairy products as Nice was the strongest predictor of dairy consumption, relative to the other 3Ns. This is further supported by evaluation of consumers’ own qualitative descriptions of why they do or do not consume meat/dairy products, where “taste” was the most frequently used word in both categories. Study 2 replicates the relationships between dairy 4Ns scores and reported dairy consumption found in Study 1 and builds upon these results by showing that 4N score could accurately categorize consumers as frequent (N = 192) or infrequent (N = 210) consumers of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs). Differences in consumers’ expectations for the sensory characteristics of cow’s milk and PBMAs are identified, and the impact of rationalization (total 4N score) on the likelihood of expected sensory attribute associations is described. The role of rationalization in shaping sensory expectations and impacting dietary choices, in particular resistance to adopting PBMAs, is discussed.
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| 8. |
- Costa, Elena, 1990, et al.
(författare)
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The relationship between food neophobia and hedonic ratings of novel foods may be mediated by emotional arousal
- 2023
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Seafood could support the transition away from terrestrial animal-source foods towards more sustainable protein sources. Food neophobia (FN), the reluctance to eat novel foods (which also extends to many familiar foods including seafood), is a known barrier to dietary change. This study investigates the relationship between FN and consumers' acceptance of novel surimi-based products shaped to resemble pasta; and explores the role of emotional arousal experienced during tasting. Consumers (N = 211) completed the Food Neophobia Scale prior to the tasting session and were quasi-randomized to either the blind (N = 107; given no information about the content of the samples) or informed condition (N = 104; informed that the samples derived from fish), to ensure a similar FN distribution across groups. Respondents tasted three variants (pollock, cod, or salmon) of a surimibased product at a central location in Sweden. Each sample was rated in terms of hedonics, experienced emotional arousal (from 1-relaxed to 7-anxious), overall perceived aroma and flavor intensity, and freely described for flavor character. Attitudes (positive/negative) towards the concept were also described by respondents with free text. In line with previous studies, results showed negative associations between FN and both hedonic ratings and purchase intention. Moreover, mediation analysis suggested that the relationship between FN and hedonic liking was indirectly explained by emotional arousal, implying that higher arousal may be mechanistic in describing how FN negatively impacts liking. The effect of FN was, however, not observed for the salmon sample which evoked higher levels of arousal overall and may have also been perceived as more familiar due to high salmon consumption in Sweden. These results support the arousal hypothesis of FN and contribute to further understanding the mechanisms underpinning FN, highlighting the relevance of incorporating emotional measurements in sensory evaluations.
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| 9. |
- Dalgaard Christensen, Jacob
(författare)
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Crisis communication, anticipated food scarcity, and food preferences: Preregistered evidence of the insurance hypothesis
- 2021
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier BV. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Whereas large-scale consumption of energy-dense foods contributes to climate change, we investigated whether exposure to climate change-induced food scarcity affects preferences toward these foods. Humans’ current psychological mechanisms have developed in their ancestral evolutionary past to respond to immediate threats and opportunities. Consequently, these mechanisms may not distinguish between cues to actual food scarcity and cues to food scarcity distant in time and space. Drawing on the insurance hypothesis, which postulates that humans should respond to environmental cues to food scarcity through increased energy consumption, we predicted that exposing participants to climate change-induced food scarcity content increases their preferences toward energy-dense foods, with this effect being particularly pronounced in women. Three experiments—including one preregistered laboratory study—confirm this notion. Our findings jointly demonstrate that receiving information about food shortages distant in time and space can influence current food preferences.
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| 10. |
- Faber, Ilona, et al.
(författare)
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The mediating role of barriers and trust on the intentions to consume plant-based foods in Europe
- 2024
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Ingår i: Food Quality and Preference. - : Elsevier. - 0950-3293 .- 1873-6343. ; 114
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant-based food alternatives have increased in popularity, particularly plant-based meat alternatives, while plant-based cheese alternatives less so. However, their acceptance remains low in Europe. Food choice motives (FCM) and trust towards alternative proteins may contribute to purchasing plant-based food alternatives, while other FCM and barriers can hinder this. The present study aimed to investigate whether FCM focused on “Environment & ethics” and “Intrinsic product quality” are associated with behavioural intentions towards plant-based meat and cheese alternatives, and specifically investigating the mediating role of perceived barriers to plant-based food consumption and trust towards plant-based alternative proteins. A survey was conducted in 10 European countries (AT, DE, DK, ES, FR, IT, NL, PL, RO, UK) with quotas on age and gender (N = 7588). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to determine factors associated with behavioural intentions towards plant-based meat and cheese alternatives. Results showed that “environmental & ethical” motives are positively associated with intentions to consume plant-based alternatives to meat (in 6/10 countries) and cheese (in 8/10 countries). “Intrinsic product quality” motives were not directly associated with behavioural intentions towards plant-based meat alternatives. However, country differences were observed for effects of “Intrinsic product quality”. Perceived barriers to plant-based food consumption and trust towards plant-based alternative proteins play a significant mediating role among all 10 countries. The implications are that environmental and ethical motivations could contribute to effectively promoting plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy. High sensory quality for plant-based meat and cheese alternatives is needed to build trust.
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