Hedonic Experience Research Articles

Cognitive evaluations of water, urges to drink, and fluid intake in patients with kidney stones

Increasing fluid intake is a core recommendation for reducing risk of kidney stone recurrence. Thirst is often insufficient to motivate the volume of intake recommended to reduce risk, so this study examined cognitive and affective processes that support fluid intake (water and flavored beverages). Patients (N=230) with a history of kidney stones identified from medical records were recruited to complete an online survey. Participants who associated unflavored water with favorable bodily consequences and positive hedonic experiences were likely to have stronger non-thirst-related urges to drink unflavored water, and those who associated unflavored water with negative hedonic experiences were likely to have stronger non-thirst-related urges to drink flavored drinks. Non-thirst-related urges to drink unflavored water were positively associated with water intake volume, but non-thirst-related urges to drink flavored drinks were negatively associated with water intake volume. These findings establish the importance of affective processing as a target for promoting fluid intake in cases where thirst is not sufficient.

The Influence Of Originality, Quality, And Quantity On, Intention To Follow The Advice, Through Hedonic Experience, Opinion Leadership, And Perceived Aesthetics

Factors that determine the success of influencer marketing focusing on TikTok social network users This study examines the influence of influencer account characteristics (Perceived Originality Perceived Quantity, Perceived Quality), through Hedonic Experience, Opinion Leadership and Perceived Aesthetics and how this impacts their intention to Intention to Follow The Advice, if users feel that the content presented by an influencer is originality and has a large variety of content, they will tend to view the influencer as opinion leadership and, as a result are likely to follow the advice and recommendations of the influencer. The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of influencer marketing success on TikTok and identify the characteristics that are most effective in attracting users on TikTok. This study was designed using purposive sampling method involving TikToker users and followers across Indonesia. quantitative research using partial least squares path modeling method (PLS-SEM). Some of the findings in this study are that there is no significant relationship between perceived aesthetics and intention to follow the advice and perceived originality has an indirect effect on opinion leadership. The managerial implication of this research for industry practitioners and researchers is that companies can design more targeted and effective marketing campaigns by understanding how perceived originality, quantity, and quality factors affect intention to follow the advice through hedonic experience. A thorough analysis with user preferences and an opportunity to build stronger and sustainable partnerships with the company's influencers and expand the reach of their campaigns, increasing the company's brand awareness.

The expectations humans have of a pleasurable sensation asymmetrically shape neuronal responses and subjective experiences to hot sauce.

Expectations shape our perception, profoundly influencing how we interpret the world. Positive expectations about sensory stimuli can alleviate distress and reduce pain (e.g., placebo effect), while negative expectations may heighten anxiety and exacerbate pain (e.g., nocebo effect). To investigate the impact of the (an)hedonic aspect of expectations on subjective experiences, we measured neurobehavioral responses to the taste of hot sauce among participants with heterogeneous taste preferences. By identifying participants who "liked" versus those who strongly "disliked" spicy flavors and by providing contextual cues about the spiciness of the sauce to be tasted, we dissociated the effects of positive and negative expectations from sensory stimuli (i.e., visual and gustatory stimuli), which were the same across all participants. Our results indicate that positive expectations lead to modulations in the intensity of subjective experience. These modulations were accompanied by increased activity in brain regions previously linked to information integration and the placebo effect, including the anterior insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, as well as a predefined "pleasure signature." In contrast, negative expectations decreased hedonic experience and increased neural activity in the previously validated "Neurological Pain Signature" network. These findings demonstrate that hedonic aspects of one's expectations asymmetrically shape how the brain processes sensory input and associated behavioral reports of one's subjective experiences of intensity, pleasure, and pain. Our results suggest a dissociable impact of hedonic information: positive expectations facilitate higher-level information integration and reward processing, while negative expectations prime lower-level nociceptive and affective processes. This study demonstrates the powerful role of hedonic expectations in shaping subjective reality and suggests potential avenues for consumer and therapeutic interventions targeting expectation-driven neural processes.

Pleasure and Subjectivity in the Republic IX ‘Authority Argument’ (580d3-583a10)

I argue that the Republic IX ‘Authority Argument’ (580d3-583a10) embraces both subjectivity of hedonic experience and objectivity of hedonic character. This combination of views undermines the interpretations of both the argument’s main critics and its main defenders. A more adequate interpretation, drawing on the idea of inapt hedonic experiences which fail to reflect the pleasantness of their objects, points towards a reassessment of the Argument’s place in the sequence ending Bk. IX. On the view presented here, the ‘Authority Argument’ is not a stand-alone argument, but depends on the ‘Olympian Argument’ that follows it.

A Qualitative Study on Counterfeit Consumption in Kuwait

Purpose: This study explores the phenomenon of counterfeit luxury goods consumption in Kuwait, influenced by high disposable incomes, social status importance, and Islamic norms. The research aims to understand the socio-psychological motivations behind purchasing counterfeit luxury products.Study design/methodology/approach: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and netnography. Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth exploration of participants' experiences, while netnography captured real-time online interactions and discussions.Sample and data: The study involved semi-structured interviews with 21 participants familiar with counterfeit luxury brands, predominantly under 30 years old. Additionally, 372 comments were collected from Instagram for the netnographic analysis to understand consumer behaviors and attitudes.Results: The study reveals that socio-psychological factors significantly impact counterfeit product consumption. Social conformity and public image influence counterfeit luxury consumption in Kuwait. Fashion consciousness and financial considerations, prioritizing visual appeal and cost savings over authenticity, are also highlighted. The hedonic experience associated with buying and using counterfeit products emerged as a significant motivator.Originality/value: This research provides a nuanced understanding of counterfeit consumption within a unique cultural and religious context, contributing to the limited literature on the subject in the Middle East. It offers insights for policymakers and brand managers to develop strategies addressing this issue.Research limitations/implications: The qualitative nature and convenience sampling limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research could expand to include different socio-economic backgrounds for a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon.

To Abstract or Not to Abstract? A Comparative Study Evaluating the User Experience of Spreadsheet Programming with Sheet-Defined Functional Abstractions

Spreadsheets are a widespread functional programming paradigm that offer liveness and directness of interaction. However, spreadsheets are notoriously error-prone and difficult to debug. To overcome this limitation and improve the expressive power of spreadsheets, we propose an extension to the spreadsheet paradigm in the form of sheet-defined lambdas – user-defined functions that abstract computations on the sheet. This concept was developed and deployed in our web-based spreadsheet application named Lattice. We evaluate this approach through a user study which compared the user experience of programming in a spreadsheet with and without lambdas, as well as the difference in performance between learner (N = 12) and experienced (N = 12) programmers. The study measured participant task performance (task time, success rate and number of errors) and the quality of their user experience of using Lattice (video recordings of use, interviews and questionnaire responses). Our findings indicate that programming with lambdas is not only more efficient than writing formulas in a conventional way, but also provides a rewarding hedonic experience. However, we found that learners perceived the concept of functional abstractions with lambdas as difficult to comprehend; while experienced programmers noted potential utilitarian advantages that aid in managing the complexity of a spreadsheet program. The results obtained in this work contribute to a better understanding of human-spreadsheet interaction and can inform the future design of user-friendly computational systems.

502. Expectation Modulates the Hedonic Experiences of and Midbrain Responses to Sweet Flavour

502. Expectation Modulates the Hedonic Experiences of and Midbrain Responses to Sweet Flavour

Experience-dominant logic: laying the groundwork for an experience-dominant view of firm practices in the marketplace

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce the experience-dominant (Ex-D) logic model, which synthesizes the creation, perceptions and outcomes of Ex-D logic. It is designed to offer valuable insights for strategic managerial applications and future research directions.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a qualitative approach by using eight selected product launch events from reviewed 100 event videos and 55 in-depth interviews with industrial managers to develop an Ex-D logic model, and data were coded and analysed via NVivo.FindingsResults show that the firm’s Ex-D logic is operationalized as the mentalizing of the three types of customer needs (service competence, hedonic excitations and meaning making), the materializing of three types of customer experiences and customer journeys (service experience, hedonic experience and brand experience) and the moderating of three types of customer values (service values, hedonic values and brand values).Research limitations/implicationsThis study has implications for adding new insights into existing theory on dominant logic and customer experience management and also offers actionable recommendations for managerial applications.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on the importance of Ex-D logic from a strategic point of view and provides an organic view of the firm. It distinguishes firm perspective from customer perspective, firm experience from customer experience and firm journey from consumer journey.

Happy Hour: The association between trait hedonic capacity and motivation to drink alcohol

The (over)consumption of alcohol and other addictive substances is often conceptualized as a problem of low self-control (i.e., people’s inability to inhibit unwanted impulses). According to that view, people drink because they cannot resist. In the present studies, we approached this from a different perspective and tested whether alcohol consumption might also be a problem of low hedonic capacity (i.e., people’s inability to experience pleasure and relaxation, often due to intrusive thoughts). According to that view, people drink because it helps them enjoy or cope with negative thoughts or emotions. In two studies among individuals at low risk of harmful alcohol use (e.g., AUDIT < 7) we consistently found that trait hedonic capacity was unrelated to alcohol consumption but negatively related to coping motivation (drinking alcohol to cope with negative thoughts and feelings; Study 1: N = 348; Study 2: N = 302, preregistered). Exploratory analyses in study 2 (conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic) also showed that people with low, but not high, trait hedonic capacity drank more alcohol in response to stress. Our findings are in line with the notion that people’s drinking motivation and behavior might not only be a problem of poor self-control but also of low trait hedonic capacity. They align with a new direction in addiction prevention and treatment research, which explores ways to help people to seek out and savor hedonic experiences from non-drug related reinforcers (e.g., engaging in leisure activities).

Why Do Users Stop Pleasurable Media Experiences? The Dynamics of Media Experiences and Their Impact on Media Disengagement

Given the vast amount of permanently available entertainment content and the high pleasure that viewers derive from it, the question of when and why users disengage from a media entertainment viewing session becomes more pressing. We argue in this paper that communication theories lack a conceptualization of the disengagement part of the communication process. The study presents a novel dynamic view on media use, and argues that specific processes that occur during media exposure contribute to its termination. The assumptions of the theoretical framework are tested with an event-based experience sampling study during TV series viewing sessions among 89 participants (1,952 answered surveys). The findings show that negative and positive response states evolve (partly) independently of each other in the course of entertainment viewing sessions: Despite an increase in negative experiences of goal conflict, guilt, and fatigue, individuals’ level of enjoyment remained stable during a viewing session. These results indicate that negative responses do not necessarily interfere with the experience of enjoyment. The level of enjoyment was the strongest predictor for whether someone stopped a viewing session indicating that hedonic experiences might overrule rational decisions to stop due to being fatigued or having other things to do.

Examining the relationships between mindfulness, eudaimonic and hedonic experiences, place attachment, loyalty: the moderating role of flow

This study aims to understand the relationships among visitors’ mindfulness, eudaimonic experience, hedonic experience, place attachment, and loyalty with a moderation role of flow within the context of visiting a museum. Data was collected from museum visitors and analyzed via PLS-SEM analysis. Findings indicate that visitors’ mindfulness (attention, awareness, non-judgment, and curiosity) positively and directly affects their eudaimonic and hedonic experiences. Visitors’ eudaimonic experiences have an effect on hedonic experience and place attachment. Hedonic experience and place attachment in turn affect loyalty. Furthermore, flow moderates the impact of mindfulness on eudaimonic and hedonic experiences. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Impact of post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders on quality of life, hedonic experiences and psychiatric dimensions in general population

Background and objectiveOlfactory disorders in COVID-19 impact quality of life and may lead to psychological impairments. Prevalence ranges from 8 to 85%, persisting in about 30% of cases. This study aimed to evaluate the 6-month post-COVID-19 impact on quality of life, hedonic experiences, anxiety and depression due to olfactory disorders. Additionally, it sought to compare psychophysical tests and self-perceived olfactory evaluations.MethodsA prospective, longitudinal study was conducted over baseline (T0) and 6 months (T1) on individuals with persistent olfactory disorders post-COVID-19 for more than 6 weeks. Psychophysical tests employed the Sniffin’ Sticks Test® (TDI score), and self-perceived olfactory evaluation used a Visual Analogue Scale. Quality of life was assessed with an Olfactive Disorder Questionnaire and the French version of the Quality of Life and Diet Questionnaire. Hedonic experiences were gauged using the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, while anxiety and depression dimensions were measured by The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Post Traumatic Stress Checklist Scale, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Participants were classified into the “normosmic group” (NG) and the “olfactory disorders group” (ODG) at T0 and T1 based on the TDI score.ResultsWere included 56 participants (58.93% women, 41.07% men) with a mean age of 39.04 years and a mean duration of post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders of 5.32 months. At T1, ODG had a significantly lower quality of life and hedonic experiences than NG. No significant differences in anxiety and depression dimensions were observed between groups. At T0, psychophysical tests and self-perceived olfactory evaluations were significantly correlated with quality of life and hedonic experiences in both groups. At T1, self-perceived olfactory evaluation in NG correlated significantly with quality of life, hedonic experiences, anxiety and depression dimensions, whereas ODG only correlated with hedonic experiences.ConclusionIndividuals with persistent post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders after six months demonstrated compromised quality of life and hedonic experiences. Self-perceived olfactory evaluation played a more significant role in influencing quality of life and the dimension of anxiety and depression than the psychophysical presence of olfactory disorders. These findings emphasize the importance of considering patients’ perceptions to comprehensively assess the impact of olfactory disorders on their well-being.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov number (ID: NCT04799977).

Individual differences in sensitivity to taste-shape crossmodal correspondences

People generally associate curved and symmetrical shapes with sweetness, while associating angular and asymmetrical shapes with the other basic tastes (e.g., sour, bitter). However, these group-level taste-shape correspondences likely conceal important variation at an individual-level. We examined the extent to which individuals vary in their sensitivity to crossmodal correspondence between curvature and symmetry, on the one hand, and the five basic taste qualities (sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami), on the other. In Experiment 1, participants matched shapes (curved vs. angular, symmetrical vs. asymmetrical) and taste words. In Experiment 2, participants performed a similar task, though this time using actual tastants. Given that people differ in their hedonic experience of such shapes and tastes, we also measured participants’ liking for each taste and shape separately. The results replicate the general crossmodal correspondences between curved-sweet and symmetrical-sweet stimuli. Furthermore, participants tended to match sour and bitter tastes with angular and asymmetrical stimuli. However, these group-level taste-shape correspondences coexist alongside substantial variation at the level of the individual. While some participants consistently matched specific tastes with curved and symmetrical stimuli, others consistently matched these tastes with angular and asymmetrical stimuli, or else did not show these taste-shape correspondences. Liking for curved and symmetrical stimuli was higher than for angular and asymmetrical stimuli. However, participants also differed considerably in the extent to which these visual features affected their liking. Overall, our findings highlight the substantial individual differences that are associated with the degree to which people associate and like shapes and tastes.

The impact of emotional valence on generalization gradients

Generalization enables individuals to respond to novel stimuli based on previous experiences. The degree to which organisms respond is determined by their physical resemblance to the original conditioned stimulus (CS+), with a stronger response elicited by more similar stimuli, resulting in similarity-based generalization gradients. Recent research showed that cognitive or conceptual dimensions also result in gradients similar to those observed with manipulations of physical dimensions. Such findings suggest that attributes beyond physical similarity play a role in shaping generalization gradients. However, despite its adaptive relevance for survival, there is no study exploring the effectiveness of affective dimensions in shaping generalization gradients. In two experiments (135 Spanish and 150 English participants, respectively), we used an online predictive learning task, in which different stimuli (words and Gabor patches) were paired with the presence – or absence – of a fictitious shock. After training, we assessed whether valence (i.e., hedonic experience) conveyed by words shape generalization gradients. In Experiment 1, the outcome expectancy decreased monotonically with variations in valence of Spanish words, mirroring the gradient obtained with the physical dimension (line orientation). In Experiment 2, conducted with English words, a similar gradient was observed when non-trained (i.e., generalization) words varied along the valence dimension, but not when words were of neutral valence. The consistency of these findings across two different languages strengthens the reliability and validity of the affective dimension as a determinant of generalization gradients. Furthermore, our data highlight the importance of considering the role of affective features in generalization responses, advancing the interplay between emotion, language, and learning.

The influence of pediatric cancer treatment on taste perception and food hedonics: a systematic review.

Children with cancer are at risk of poor nutritional status during treatment and into survivorship. Objectively measured taste perception and self-reported food hedonics are 2 factors that may influence food intake. This 2-armed systematic review examined whether chemotherapy and radiotherapy affect (1) taste perception and (2) hedonic experiences of children and survivors of childhood cancer. A 2-armed systematic literature search was conducted in the Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and PsychInfo database until June 2022. The effects of cancer treatment on objective taste perception or food hedonics (ie, food liking or aversion and appetite) were examined. Peer-reviewed articles published in English of studies that included children (aged <18 years) or survivors of childhood cancer (any age) were reviewed. Risk of bias was determined using the Evidence Analysis Library by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A total of 1417 articles in the taste search arm and 3862 articles in the hedonics search arm were identified. Of these, 9 and 4 articles were eligible for review, respectively. Cancer treatment had highly variable effects on taste perception during treatment and into survivorship. Learned food aversions were experienced by children receiving chemotherapy treatment and liking of meats and salty foods by children with cancer was affected. The impact of treatment on appetite varied. Cancer treatment did not uniformly affect taste perception. Food liking may be negatively affected, and learned food aversions may develop during cancer treatment. To establish the clinical relevance of childhood cancer treatment on taste perception and food hedonics, more research is required. PROSPERO registration no.CRD42020207127.

Unraveling the link between childhood maltreatment and depression: Insights from the role of ventral striatum and middle cingulate cortex in hedonic experience and emotion regulation.

Childhood maltreatment is an established risk factor for psychopathology. However, it remains unclear how childhood traumatic events relate to mental health problems and how the brain is involved. This study examined the serial mediation effect of brain morphological alterations and emotion-/reward-related functions on linking the relationship from maltreatment to depression. We recruited 156 healthy adolescents and young adults and an additional sample of 31 adolescents with major depressive disorder for assessment of childhood maltreatment, depressive symptoms, cognitive reappraisal and anticipatory/consummatory pleasure. Structural MRI data were acquired to identify maltreatment-related cortical and subcortical morphological differences. The mediation models suggested that emotional maltreatment of abuse and neglect, was respectively associated with increased gray matter volume in the ventral striatum and greater thickness in the middle cingulate cortex. These structural alterations were further related to reduced anticipatory pleasure and disrupted cognitive reappraisal, which contributed to more severe depressive symptoms among healthy individuals. The above mediating effects were not replicated in our clinical group partly due to the small sample size. Preventative interventions can target emotional and reward systems to foster resilience and reduce the likelihood of future psychiatric disorders among individuals with a history of maltreatment.

Relationship of prefrontal cortex activity with anhedonia and cognitive function in major depressive disorder: an fNIRS study.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with deficits in cognitive function, thought to be related to underlying decreased hedonic experiences. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of functional brain activity in this relationship. In this study, we investigated the neurofunctional correlate of the interplay between cognitive function and hedonic experiences in medication-free MDD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We examine differences of brain activation corresponding to the verbal fluency test (VFT) between MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs). Fifty-six MDD patients and 35 HCs underwent fMRI scanning while performing the VFT. In exploratory analyses, cognitive performance, as assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), four dimensions of hedonic processing (desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure) measured by the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS), and relative changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration during the VFT were compared across groups. Patients with MDD demonstrated impairments in sustained attention and working memory, accompanied by lower total and subscale scores on the DARS. Compared to healthy controls, MDD patients exhibited reduced activation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during the VFT task (t = 2.32 to 4.77, p < 0.001 to 0.02, FDR corrected). DARS motivation, desire, and total scores as well as sustained attention, were positively correlated with activation in the dorsolateral PFC and Broca's area (p < 0.05, FDR corrected). These findings indicate that changes in prefrontal lobe oxygenated hemoglobin levels, a region implicated in hedonic motivation and cognitive function, may serve as potential biomarkers for interventions targeting individuals with MDD. Our results corroborate the clinical consensus that the prefrontal cortex is a primary target for non-invasive neuromodulatory treatments for depression.

Factors Influencing Public Intention To Use eVTOL Aircraft: An Analysis From Malaysian Perspective

As an emerging technology with potential benefits in urban transportation, understanding the determinants of public acceptance is crucial for successful implementation. This research aims to identify the predictors that influence the public’s intention to use eVTOL aircraft using the extended model of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This research was conducted among Malaysians above 15 years old to identify the factors influencing the intention to use eVTOL aircraft in Malaysia using convenience and snowball sampling techniques materialised by respondents. The total number of responses collected was 118 using the questionnaire adopted from the theory. Once the data was collected, it was analysed through SPSS software to identify the relationship and significance using inferential analysis. This research found that subjective norms and travel costs do not influence the intention to use eVTOL aircraft. Although the two predictors are insignificant, perceived safety and hedonic experience significantly impact the intention to use eVTOL aircraft. This study proposed a few benefits for operators and manufacturers to improve customer confidence in using eVTOL aircraft in Malaysia.

The mimicker and the mimicked: Desirable digital influencer to follow (taste leader vs. opinion leader)

The impact of social media on consumer purchasing behavior is explored in this study, employing the Influence Framework Theory and Doppelganger Theory as theoretical frameworks. The four phases of the Influence Framework Theory are examined to uncover how influencers shape consumer behavior. TikTokers are specifically scrutinized as opinion leaders, with hedonic experiences assuming a pivotal role. Moreover, their perception as taste leaders is investigated, emphasizing the influence of attractiveness and prestige. Furthermore, conscious desires to emulate are scrutinized, suggesting a positive correlation between opinion and taste leadership and this desire. Lastly, the study delves into the nonsocial outcomes of these influential efforts, emphasizing the link between the desire to imitate and consumers’ propensity to make purchases. Regression analysis demonstrates the positive impact of hedonic experiences, attractiveness, and prestige on perceptions of opinion and taste leadership. Additionally, both opinion and taste leadership significantly contribute to consumers’ conscious desire to emulate, subsequently influencing their inclination to make purchases. These findings shed light on the mechanics underlying TikTokers' influence on consumer behavior and offer valuable insights for marketers seeking to leverage these influencers to drive purchase intentions.

Driven to Snack: Simulated Driving Increases Subsequent Consumption

When individuals eat while distracted, they may compensate by consuming more afterwards. Here, we examined the effect of eating while driving, and explored potential underlying mechanisms. Participants (N = 116, 73.3% female) were randomly allocated to complete a driving simulation (distraction condition) or to watch someone else drive (control condition) while consuming 10g (50.8 kcal) of potato chips. Afterwards, participants rated the taste intensity and hedonic experience, reported stress levels, and were then given the opportunity to eat more chips. As hypothesized, participants consumed more chips after the driving simulation. Stress levels were higher in the driving compared to control condition, but were inversely related to consumption amount, ruling out stress as explanatory mechanism. Saltiness ratings differed between the driving and passive viewing condition, only when controlling for stress. The current findings converge with earlier work showing that distracted eating can drive overconsumption, which in turn can lead to long-term health implications. Limitations, implications and potential directions are discussed.