Recently posted to SSRN:
"The False Memory Diet: False Memories Alter Food Preferences"
HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIOR, FOOD AND NUTRITION, pp. 1645-1663, V.R. Preedy, R.R. Watson, & C.R. Martin, eds., Springer
UC Irvine School of Law Research Paper No. 2011-34
DANIEL M. BERNSTEIN, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, University of Washington
NICOLE L.M. PERNAT, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
ELIZABETH F. LOFTUS, University of California, Irvine - Department of Psychology and Social Behavior
A growing body of work shows how easy it is to manipulate memory for past events. In this chapter, we review recent research on false memories that can be planted about a non-existent past experience with a particular food or alcohol. These false memories have consequences for people; if the false memory is unpleasant, people avoid the food or drink.
If the false memory is pleasant, they want the food or drink more. We discuss possible explanations for these findings. Moreover, we explore which kinds of people are more susceptible and which foods are particularly amenable to forming false food memories. We end with a discussion of applications to other areas of health and disease. More generally these findings show that false memories have consequences; they influence people's thoughts, intentions, and actions.
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