The Perceptions of College Student Snacking

Location

FA-202

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study will examine the perceptions of individuals who choose between healthy or unhealthy snack options, as well as the underlying motivations that drive the choice. Previous research has examined the motivations behind choosing healthy or unhealthy snacks but further research is needed to investigate the perceptions of people who select either healthy or unhealthy snack options. For the current study, male, female, and non-binary college student participants approximately ages 18-25, will read a series of vignettes about target individuals pertaining to situations in which the individual chose healthy or unhealthy snacks and their motivation for snacking (i.e., stress, convenience, and hunger), as well as the interaction between the two. The target individual in each vignette will be rated on a 14-item, 5-point Likert-type scale (e.g., Riley is lazy, Riley is friendly).A 2 (type of snack: unhealthy or unhealthy) x 3 (motivation: hunger, convenience, stress) factorial ANOVA on an aggregated attribute score will be conducted to test the three hypotheses. It is hypothesized that students will be perceived most favorably if they select a healthy snack over an unhealthy snack; give less favorable ratings to target individuals who eat to fulfill their hunger for convenience, and target individuals who eat unhealthy snacks when they are stressed will receive the lowest favorability rating.

Faculty Sponsor

Amanda Dykema-Engblade, Northeastern Illinois University

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Apr 28th, 9:20 AM

The Perceptions of College Student Snacking

FA-202

This study will examine the perceptions of individuals who choose between healthy or unhealthy snack options, as well as the underlying motivations that drive the choice. Previous research has examined the motivations behind choosing healthy or unhealthy snacks but further research is needed to investigate the perceptions of people who select either healthy or unhealthy snack options. For the current study, male, female, and non-binary college student participants approximately ages 18-25, will read a series of vignettes about target individuals pertaining to situations in which the individual chose healthy or unhealthy snacks and their motivation for snacking (i.e., stress, convenience, and hunger), as well as the interaction between the two. The target individual in each vignette will be rated on a 14-item, 5-point Likert-type scale (e.g., Riley is lazy, Riley is friendly).A 2 (type of snack: unhealthy or unhealthy) x 3 (motivation: hunger, convenience, stress) factorial ANOVA on an aggregated attribute score will be conducted to test the three hypotheses. It is hypothesized that students will be perceived most favorably if they select a healthy snack over an unhealthy snack; give less favorable ratings to target individuals who eat to fulfill their hunger for convenience, and target individuals who eat unhealthy snacks when they are stressed will receive the lowest favorability rating.