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Forget Comfort Food: We Shun It in Turmoil

Studies suggest we don't seek solace in the familiar

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2009 1:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – Conventional wisdom has it that when we face big changes, we look to the familiar to get us through—whether it’s comfort food or music we’ve loved for years. But new studies suggest the opposite is true, that “change begets change,” in the words of one researcher. For example, subjects offered familiar or exotic food were more likely to try the latter if their lives were changing, reports Time.

To find out more, the researcher tried another experiment: She asked subjects whether they were experiencing change, then offered them choices of familiar and unfamiliar items from deodorant to song downloads. The results were similar to the first study. “Changing circumstances may break habitual cues that favor old favorites and promote a more general 'change mindset' in the individual,” she wrote in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Comfort food may not be what we seek during times of change. (Shutterstock)

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Forget Comfort Food: We Shun It in Turmoil

Studies suggest we don't seek solace in the familiar

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More Newser Stories

Vitamins Boost Women's Risk of Dying

High concentration of nutrients may turn toxic: researchers

Early Risers Happier, Healthier

Morning people tend to be less stressed, depressed, overweight

iPhone App Gauges Your Happiness

And finds that daydreaming is tied to bad moods

Monotone Male Voices Are Irresistible

Turns out expressive voices just sound anxious

E. Coli Outbreak in Northeast Ground Beef Kills 2

NY company recalls more than 500K pounds

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Forget Comfort Food: We Shun It in Turmoil

Studies suggest we don't seek solace in the familiar

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

food • study • research • psychology • human behavior • change • women's issues

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Vitamins Boost Women's Risk of Dying

High concentration of nutrients may turn toxic: researchers

Early Risers Happier, Healthier

Morning people tend to be less stressed, depressed, overweight

iPhone App Gauges Your Happiness

And finds that daydreaming is tied to bad moods

Monotone Male Voices Are Irresistible

Turns out expressive voices just sound anxious

E. Coli Outbreak in Northeast Ground Beef Kills 2

NY company recalls more than 500K pounds

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?