How are people affected by what is said to them versus what they taste themselves?
I will give the subject two versions of a snack; an unhealthy version and a healthy version. But I will be telling the subject that each snack is the opposite of what it really is. I need to research into the psychological impact of an outside force contradicting what the person tastes him/her self. I also need to research into which part of the brain controls a person's opinion. Thank you.
How are ppl affected by outside forces vs their own senses?
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
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indirathebest
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:17 pm
- Occupation: student
- Project Question: How are people affected by what is said to them versus what they taste themselves?
I will give the subject two versions of a snack; an unhealthy version and a healthy version. But I will be telling the subject that each snack is the opposite of what it really is. I need to research into the psychological impact of an outside force contradicting what the person tastes him/her self. I also need to research into which part of the brain controls a person's opinion. Thank you. - Project Due Date: January 2, 2009
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
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MelissaB
- Moderator
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Re: How are ppl affected by outside forces vs their own senses?
Hi,
If you haven't already, I would suggest you look up information on subliminal messages as your project sounds similar to projects on those. I also encourage you to talk to your teacher and find out what rules your science fair has for the use of human subjects.
I'm curious--what is it that you will be measuring after you have told the subjects what kind of snack it is? How will you be measuring the relative 'health' of foods?
If you haven't already, I would suggest you look up information on subliminal messages as your project sounds similar to projects on those. I also encourage you to talk to your teacher and find out what rules your science fair has for the use of human subjects.
I'm curious--what is it that you will be measuring after you have told the subjects what kind of snack it is? How will you be measuring the relative 'health' of foods?
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michellebayefsky
- Former Expert
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- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: How are ppl affected by outside forces vs their own senses?
Dear indirathebest,
This project sounds very interesting. However, I don't think there is any single part of the brain that controls opinion. Here is are some articles I have found:
http://www.sff.net/people/mberry/taste.htm
http://playcube.org/index.php?option=co ... 4&Itemid=9
http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/workc ... S_2004.pdf
http://www.enotes.com/gale-psychology-e ... edia/taste
I hope this helps!
This project sounds very interesting. However, I don't think there is any single part of the brain that controls opinion. Here is are some articles I have found:
http://www.sff.net/people/mberry/taste.htm
http://playcube.org/index.php?option=co ... 4&Itemid=9
http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/workc ... S_2004.pdf
http://www.enotes.com/gale-psychology-e ... edia/taste
I hope this helps!
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deleted-71670
- Former Expert
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:06 pm
- Occupation: science journalist
- Project Question: n/a
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- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: How are ppl affected by outside forces vs their own senses?
hi indirathebest
Here's a recent study that may interest you http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2 ... 11608.html
Researchers found that people "enjoy" a $45 wine more than a $5 wine--even when the experimenters lied, and both are the same wine.
Your project in a way falls into both consumer research and psychology/neuroscience. Try playing with those as additional search terms as you do your background research.
It's a hot topic and an interesting one, good luck!
Here's a recent study that may interest you http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2 ... 11608.html
Researchers found that people "enjoy" a $45 wine more than a $5 wine--even when the experimenters lied, and both are the same wine.
Your project in a way falls into both consumer research and psychology/neuroscience. Try playing with those as additional search terms as you do your background research.
It's a hot topic and an interesting one, good luck!
Amber Dance
Science Buddy
Science Buddy
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indirathebest
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:17 pm
- Occupation: student
- Project Question: How are people affected by what is said to them versus what they taste themselves?
I will give the subject two versions of a snack; an unhealthy version and a healthy version. But I will be telling the subject that each snack is the opposite of what it really is. I need to research into the psychological impact of an outside force contradicting what the person tastes him/her self. I also need to research into which part of the brain controls a person's opinion. Thank you. - Project Due Date: January 2, 2009
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
Re: How are ppl affected by outside forces vs their own senses?
I'm using calorie, and sugar amount to measure the health of the food. I'm also measuring their preference to the foods as well. By the way, thank you all so much. 

