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The effects of taste and caloric perceptions on the eating behavior of restrained and unrestrained subjects

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Abstract

The present study explored the phenomenon of counterregulatory eating in chronic dieters by manipulating taste and caloric-information cues of a preload and taste of subsequent ad libfood. The results replicated the “restraint breaking” phenomenon reported by Herman and Mack (1975) and supported the hypothesis that this behavioral pattern is cognitively mediated. In addition, sensitivity to taste was found in restrained subjects when their chronic restraints were bypassed. These results were related to previous eating research, and their implications for self-control and dieting were examined.

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The reported research was part of Ms. Liefer's Bachelor honors thesis done at Duke University.

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Woody, E.Z., Costanzo, P.R., Liefer, H. et al. The effects of taste and caloric perceptions on the eating behavior of restrained and unrestrained subjects. Cogn Ther Res 5, 381–390 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173690

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