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Hunger and Social Motivation: Hungry People are Less Interested in Social Activities than Satiated People

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Abstract

College students (N = 207) were asked their level of interest in sex, dating, and friendship affiliation before or after eating dinner at a dining hall. The threat of hunger before dinner was predicted to make participants focus on satisfying this need and therefore be less interested in social activities, compared to participants after dinner who were not hungry. Consistent with predictions, hungry males and females were less interested in sex, dating, and hanging out with friends compared to individuals who had just eaten. Results are considered in the context of motivation theory and recent research findings in the areas of physical attraction and social inclusion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Coastal Carolina University, P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC, 29528-6054, USA

    Terry F. Pettijohn II & Shujaat F. Ahmed

  2. Psychology Department, The Ohio State University-Marion, Marion, OH, USA

    Terry F. Pettijohn

Authors
  1. Terry F. Pettijohn II
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  2. Shujaat F. Ahmed
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  3. Terry F. Pettijohn
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Correspondence to Terry F. Pettijohn II.

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Pettijohn, T.F., Ahmed, S.F. & Pettijohn, T.F. Hunger and Social Motivation: Hungry People are Less Interested in Social Activities than Satiated People. Curr Psychol 31, 1–5 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-012-9127-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-012-9127-4

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