Thursday, August 6, 2015

Neophobia

Post #2

I found neophobia to be interesting in one of the lectures. It is the fear of trying something new and staying with the familiar. In the lecture it talks about food neophobia which in essence is the aversion to new foods that are not familiar. I know several people who seem to have food neophobia and it is not because they are extremely picky eaters they just enjoy eating the same thing over and over again. I wonder if people who have this type of eating habit is due because lack of exposure to foods or is it developed due to a natural personal preference.

3 comments:

  1. I found that to be interesting as well because to be honest I was not even aware that such a thing even existed. I do agree that If you never try something, you'll never know if you like it, and I think that this may come from early influence from others in addition to the reasons that you mentioned. Good post :)

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  2. Alanah,

    I completely agree that this is an interesting topic. I have not encountered someone who is food neophobic. I too have friends that are picky eaters, as well as friends who refuse to try certain foods. Like you said it might be due to the fact that they were not exposed to those foods, which could lead back to childhood when the parents are in charge of giving those foods to their kids.

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  3. Our slides say, and I believe, that it is the evolutionary advantage of knowing that the foods you are familiar with are good for you, while mystery foods have the possibility of being poisonous or otherwise make a person sick. You never know something unless you try it, but then again it may kill you!

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