Title |
Gustatory pleasure and pain. The offset of acute physical pain enhances responsiveness to taste
|
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Published in |
Appetite, January 2014
|
DOI | 10.1016/j.appet.2013.10.011 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Brock Bastian, Jolanda Jetten, Matthew J. Hornsey |
Abstract |
The idea that pain may serve to produce pleasurable states has been noted by theorists and, more recently, substantiated by empirical findings. We explored the possibility that, beyond producing positive hedonic states, the offset of pain may serve to enhance the capacity for gustatory pleasure. Across three studies we examined whether pain offset may enhance responsiveness to taste. In Study 1 participants enjoyed chocolate more after the experience of pain compared to completing a similar but non-painful task. In Study 2, pain offset increased the perceived intensity of a range of tastes, both pleasant and unpleasant, indicating that the effects of pain offset are not limited to the processing of positive hedonic stimuli. In Study 3, pain offset increased sensitivity to different flavors. The findings suggest that the offset of acute pain increases awareness of, and therefore sensitivity to, gustatory input, thereby enhancing the capacity for gustatory pleasure. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Japan | 2 | 25% |
Brazil | 1 | 13% |
United States | 1 | 13% |
Canada | 1 | 13% |
Unknown | 3 | 38% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 6 | 75% |
Scientists | 2 | 25% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Spain | 1 | 2% |
Netherlands | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 58 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 9 | 15% |
Student > Master | 8 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 8 | 13% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 7 | 12% |
Student > Postgraduate | 6 | 10% |
Other | 14 | 23% |
Unknown | 8 | 13% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 19 | 32% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 7 | 12% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 5 | 8% |
Neuroscience | 4 | 7% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 3 | 5% |
Other | 12 | 20% |
Unknown | 10 | 17% |