Food priming refers to a psychological mechanism where exposure to food-related stimuli influences a person's desire for food and subsequent eating behaviour.
Based on research, priming is generally understood as exposure to stimuli to increase desire and affect behaviour (Harris et al., 2009). When this concept is applied to food, it means that seeing, hearing, or thinking about food can trigger a response that increases appetite and influences what, when, or how much someone eats.
According to Harris et al. (2009), this is one of the ways in which food advertisements affect viewers' eating behaviour. For instance, seeing a commercial for pizza (the stimulus) can increase a person's craving for pizza (increase desire) and make them more likely to order or eat pizza (affect behaviour).
How Food Priming Works
Priming works by activating related concepts or desires in the brain without the person necessarily being consciously aware of the influence. In the context of food:
- Stimuli: This can be anything related to food, such as:
- Food advertisements (visuals, sounds, smells)
- Discussion about food
- Seeing food
- Even thinking about a specific food item
- Increased Desire: The exposure triggers neural pathways associated with hunger or craving for the presented food type.
- Affected Behaviour: This can lead to immediate or delayed actions, such as:
- Choosing a specific food
- Eating more than intended
- Thinking about food more frequently
- Seeking out the primed food
Examples of Food Priming in Action
- Food Advertisements: As mentioned in the reference, seeing enticing images of food on television or online is a direct example of food priming.
- Restaurant Menus: Just reading descriptions of dishes can increase hunger and desire for those specific items.
- Social Media: Scrolling through pictures of food shared by friends or influencers.
- Smells: Walking past a bakery or a restaurant can trigger a desire for food.
Understanding food priming is important in contexts like marketing, public health, and personal eating habits, as it highlights how environmental cues can significantly impact food choices and consumption.
