Affect intensity and softness tactile preferences: An experimental approach to arousal regulation. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kergoat, M.; Giboreau, A.; Nicod, H.; Faye, P.; Diaz, E.; Beetschen, M.A.; Meyer, T.
• Is Part Of: Food quality and preference. Volume 52(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Affect intensity -- Arousal regulation -- Tactile preferences -- Textile -- Softness; Food preferences -- Periodicals; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Préférences alimentaires -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Qualité -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Qualité -- Contrôle -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade -- Quality control; Food preferences; Food -- Quality; Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2016.04.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-3293

Abstract

Highlights: High Affect Intensity people have a preference for soft textiles. Such an attitude serves a need for positive stimulation in a poor arousal context. Arousal context manipulation affects sensory tactile preferences. Abstract: Previous findings have shown that people experiencing emotions more intensely present favorable attitudes toward tactile softness. Based on Larsen's (2009) hypothesis that a higher level of affect intensity is a way to compensate for a low level of baseline arousal, we suggest that such a positive attitude toward soft textiles serves a need for stimulation in a poor arousal context (e.g., Central Location Test; CLT). An experimental study was run using the IAPS (Lang, Bradley, & Cuthbert, 2005) in order to manipulate the arousal context prior to a sensory evaluation of textiles. Significant results were observed on one component of the Affect Intensity Measure (Larsen & Diener, 1987). As expected, in the low arousal condition, participants characterized by higher levels of intensity in positive emotions showed a preference for softer textiles, whereas this effect was not observed in the high arousal condition. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.