How does “comfort food” comfort us?

.

Theories of social surrogacy and embodied cognition assume that cognitive associations with nonhuman stimuli can be affectively charged. In the current research, we examined whether the “comfort” of comfort foods comes from affective associations with relationships. Two experiments support the hypotheses that comfort foods are associated with relationships and alleviate loneliness. Experiment 1 found that the consumption of comfort foods automatically activates relationship-related concepts. Experiment 2 found that comfort foods buffer against belongingness threats in people who already have positive associations with relationships (i.e., are secure in attachment style). Implications for social surrogacy, need to belong, embodied cognition, and eating behavior are discussed.

Source: “Chicken Soup Really Is Good for the Soul, “Comfort Food” Fulfills the Need to Belong” from Psychological Science

Join 45K+ readers. Get a free weekly update via email here.

Related posts:

Here are the things proven to make you happier

What 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?

4 Lifehacks From Ancient Philosophers That Will Make You Happier

Share

Subscribe to the newsletter