The role of sensitivity to external food cues in attentional allocation to food words on dot probe and Stroop tasks

Eat Behav. 2004 Jul;5(3):261-71. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2004.01.005.

Abstract

The role of sensitivity of external food cues in producing attentional bias toward food-, body-weight-, and shape-related words on the Stroop and the dot probe tasks was examined. Contrary to expectations, individuals high in responsiveness to external food cues directed attention away from food words, whereas individuals low in responsiveness to external food cues directed their attention toward food words on the dot probe task. No significant differences were found between the groups high and low in sensitivity to external food cues for body words on the dot probe task or for food or body words on the Stroop task. Results are discussed with reference to theoretical views of differences between the Stroop and the dot probe tasks.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention*
  • Attitude
  • Body Image
  • Cognition
  • Cues*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Food*
  • Humans
  • Prejudice*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Vocabulary*