Cognative and Emotional Load and Nutritional Decision-Making

Abstract

This experiment examines whether mental stress, in the forms of cognitive and emotional load, have an effect on nutritional choice. Participants were asked to either memorize a 7-digit number or watch an anxiety-producing video clip, and after completing several other tasks, to choose between a chocolate bar and an apple. Our findings show that those exposed to the mental load were more likely to take the chocolate bar, but there was no effect on food choice between the types of mental load (cognitive or emotional). We also find that the preference towards the chocolate bar is affected by whether the food choice is offered before or after the mental load is lifted.