Learning Theory Explanation for Food Preferences

• What does this theory propose?

  ---> stems from Bandura SLT

  • Children get food preferences through observing role models e.g. parents
• Classical conditioning 


  Explains how the association of food with positive experience

  • e.g. ice cream with parties = make a food preference

  Flavour Flavour - preference for unknown food is developed because of its association with a flavour that's already liked
• Operant conditioning 


  Reinforcement.

  • When given food as reward for good behaviour, they develop preference for food
  • H/e when given reward for eating a new food e.g. veg - the food they ate to gain reward becomes less preferred
• Role models


  Parents, family, friends = role models - they share same environment

  • e.g. if role model eats food that appears to be rewarding (showing enjoyment or getting praise) child will eat food

  Shutts et al - suggests without role model, they may attempt to eat potentially harmful food
• Media influence

  TV adverts for food are considered as unhealthy often have fun related themes meaning viewers like it so they make food preference

  Boyland & Halford - TV ads influence food preferences in children

  • Those with foods high in fat, salt, sugar had stronger influence on overweight children

  ---> supports this
• Cultural influences 


  Rozin - cultural influences are most reliable predictor of food preference.

  On table we learn when, what, how much to eat - observation & imitation

  • e.g. cultural preference in UK is roast dinner on Sundays
  • Lots of spices added to Caribbean dishes

  Differences in food preferences are also due to availability or religion
• Study to support theory

  Birch et al - peer modelling. Place child next to one who preferred another veg to them

  • After 4 days, pp child preferences to veg changed

  Supports SLT
• Strength/ Limitation of learning theory

  Empirical evidence - use Birch study

  H/e

  Weak body of evidence

  Research is limited. Studies have small scales & western society based

  • Wang et al - highlighted studies had weak associations between parental practices and child food preferences

  Proposes concerns about generalising findings
• Strength of learning theory

  Practical application

  • Improved dietary habits
  • Techniques like repeated exposure and reinforcement are used in interventions to encourage children to eat healthier

  ---> leads to improved overall health outcomes

  Increases reliability
• Limitation of learning theory

  Reductionism

  Oversimplifies complex factors influencing food preferences

  Neglects biological and genetic factors

  e.g. innate preferences for sweet and fatty foods

  Decreases validity
• Limitation of learning theory

  Ignores individual differences

  Doesnt account for how individual responds to reinforcement or modelling

  • e.g. past experiences, cultural background can interact with learning

  By ignoring this it fails to provide comprehensive explanation