Comments on: Packet switching

By: Portioning blame at fulminate // Architectures of Control

Portioning blame at fulminate // Architectures of Control — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:18:36 +0000

[...] We’ve looked previously at the effect of portion/packaging sizes as a ‘choice of default’ architecture of control, and I’m aware that I have not yet reviewed Dr Brian Wansink’s excellent Mindless Eating, which examines this and other psychological aspects of the way we eat. I will do this in due course. [...]

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:03:38 +0000

Thanks everyone for the comments. I think both Duncan and Lawmume have very good points - comparison and the appeal of abundance. I wonder to what extent seeing others around you serve themselves smaller portions (e.g. in a self-serve restaurant) affects how much you serve yourself, even if there is nothing physically stopping you taking more.

Equally, abundance may well be very appealing in itself. I know a pub which serves excessively oversized meals - very good food, but just much bigger than you expect. I think possibly in this case the aim is to keep people there longer: you’ll need at least 2 drinks during a meal that size. But it sure is appealing when a great plateful of food is placed in front of you.

@Matt: What size is actually indicated on the Guinness cans? These ’surger’ cans are only 520 ml (i.e. just over 18 fl. oz) but apparently the head surges to fill the pint (UK pint, 20 fl. oz, 568 ml) glasses they come with.

By: r-echos » Blog Archive » Packet switching

r-echos » Blog Archive » Packet switching — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:09:06 +0000

[...] Packet switching : ” [...]

By: Lawmune

Lawmune — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:21:50 +0000

I also wonder if larger portions might be perceived as being more appealing and appetizing in general. Abundance of food can produce a sense of excitement that encourages one to more greatly enjoy the act of eating, even to the point of eating more than usual. Abundance, which may be uncommon, signals that we should “go for it” because we’re not likely to have this much again, or anytime soon.

Then there is the matter of eating what we have paid for…

By: Duncan Drennan

Duncan Drennan — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:43:48 +0000

I wonder how much our “fullness” is a function of comparison? i.e. if our plate has less food than someone else’s then we might not feel full, even though we had actually had enough to eat.

A good example of where this could happen on a regular basis is with a husband and wife, where the husband (or wife) eats more than their partner because they need to (function of lifestyle) which leads the other partner to overeat to feel “full” as a result of comparison.

BTW, I really like you blog - really interesting.

By: Matt Platte

Matt Platte — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:23:30 +0000

Hmm. I thought I had been cheated when I noticed that a pint of Guinness (in cans) wasn’t actually a pint. I didn’t realize that the good folks at the brewery were trying to help me manage my consumption. Who knew?