Journal of Student Research 2019

Journal of Student Research

Why Do You Taste So Ugly: Examination of Flavor on Perceived Attractiveness Why Do You Taste So Ugly: Examination of Flavor on Perceived Attractiveness

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Alison K. Rivers 1 Graduated Senior, Bachelor of Science Psychology

Madelyn R. Wozney 2 Senior, Bachelor of Science Psychology

Advisor: Dr. Chelsea M. Lovejoy, PhD

Authors’ Note A special thanks to the University of Wisconsin – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the College of Education, Hospitality, Health and Human Science for supporting this research project. Abstract Previous research on attractiveness has found that perceptions of others can be influenced by scent stimulation (Foster, 2008). For example, Demattè, Österbauer, and Spence (2007) found that unpleasant scents resulted in reduced perceptions of attractiveness relative to neutral or pleasant scents. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of flavor on perceptions of attractiveness. A quantitative survey was used to measure the relationship between jelly bean flavor ratings and perception of others’ attractiveness. Ratings of attractiveness were significantly less favorable after having experienced an unpleasant flavor relative to a pleasant or no flavor condition. A t-test revealed a significant difference between males and females on their ratings of the general attractiveness of faces with males rating facial attractiveness more negatively compared to those who identified as female. The results of this study will allow for more research regarding the application of flavor’s influence on perception of attractiveness to dating practices and other situations in which attractiveness plays a role.

Keywords: Attractiveness, flavor, perception

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Alison K. Rivers was in the Honors College of UW-Stout. Madalyn R. Wozney is in the Honors College of UW-Stout (Ed.).

Table of Contents

Table of Contents