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(https://www.psypost.org/new-parents-often-underestimate-partners-attraction-to-them-study-suggests/) New parents often underestimate partner’s attraction to them, study suggests
Nov 8th 2024, 08:00

In a recent study published in the(https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02654075241280666)  Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, researchers found that both new mothers and fathers experience increased insecurity about their physical appearance, along with a decline in sexual frequency and satisfaction as they transition into parenthood. During times when these insecurities or declines in satisfaction are heightened, new parents are more likely to underestimate their partner’s physical attraction to them. This research highlights the shifts in self-perception and relationship dynamics that many couples face as they embark on their journey as new parents.
The transition to parenthood is often filled with joy and anticipation, yet it also comes with new challenges. Traditionally, studies have focused on how increased responsibilities, changes in routine, and fatigue can affect a couple’s satisfaction with their relationship. This new research expands on this by examining how physical appearance insecurities and changes in intimacy impact both mothers and fathers.
Previous studies largely focused on mothers’ experiences, as pregnancy and childbirth lead to significant physical changes. However, the researchers wanted to explore if fathers also experience insecurities and how both parents’ perceptions of attraction affect their relationship during this period of major life change.
“I have always been fascinated by the ways that personal insecurities function within romantic relationships,” said study author Rachel Blickman, a PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin.
“Given the many personal and relational changes that couples experience as they transition to parenthood, this period seemed particularly relevant for examining how specific insecurities might correspond with new parents’ perceptions of how their partner views them. Most research on this topic has focused on the experiences of new mothers, so extending our examination to include fathers felt especially important.”
The study involved 124 individuals (62 couples) who were expecting their first child. Couples were recruited from social media groups and local businesses in Austin, Texas. Participants had to be at least 18 years old, expecting their first child, and willing to complete daily diary tasks.
The study followed these couples through three key phases of early parenthood: late pregnancy, about two weeks after birth (newborn phase), and around 15 weeks after birth (infancy phase). During each phase, parents completed a 21-day daily diary task, recording their own perceptions of attractiveness, how they believed their partner viewed their attractiveness, their attraction to their partner, as well as the frequency and satisfaction of their sexual activity.
Each night, participants received a secure link to complete the diary survey, which provided a detailed look at changes in perception and satisfaction as couples moved through these early stages of parenthood. Parents rated their physical attractiveness, how attractive they believed their partner found them, and whether they engaged in sexual activity that day. They also rated their satisfaction with their sex life on that day. This longitudinal design allowed researchers to capture day-to-day variations in feelings of attractiveness and attraction, providing a nuanced understanding of how these perceptions fluctuated over time.
The researchers found that both mothers and fathers generally felt less physically attractive over time. Mothers’ self-ratings of attractiveness declined from pregnancy through the newborn phase and then stabilized during the infancy phase, while fathers’ self-ratings declined consistently across all three stages.
Both parents also believed their partners found them less attractive as time progressed. Interestingly, while fathers’ attraction to their partners remained fairly stable, mothers reported a gradual decline in attraction toward their partners. Additionally, sexual frequency dropped significantly after birth but increased slightly by the infancy phase. However, both parents reported declining satisfaction with their sex life over time, with mothers’ satisfaction stabilizing after the newborn stage and fathers’ satisfaction continuing to decline.
An important insight was the way insecurities about appearance and satisfaction with one’s sex life affected perceptions of a partner’s attraction. During phases where either parent felt insecure about their appearance or less satisfied with their sex life, they tended to underestimate how attractive their partner found them. This pattern of underestimation was stronger for fathers than for mothers. Despite these shifts, parents were not more likely to detect daily changes in their partner’s attraction, suggesting that their insecurities did not make them more aware of fluctuations in their partner’s feelings day-to-day.
“Our study highlights that the transition to parenthood is a time when feelings about one’s attractiveness and sexual life are shifting – not only for mothers but also for fathers,” Blickman told PsyPost. “Importantly, when mothers and fathers feel especially unattractive or unhappy with their sexual lives, they are more likely to think their partners find them less attractive than their partners actually do.”
“With this knowledge, we can think about expanding new parent education programs to better prepare couples for feelings they may have about themselves, their partners, and their relationship when becoming parents. Refining these expectations for new parents could help foster resilience as they navigate the exciting yet challenging transition to a new life chapter.”
The study adds to our understanding of the changes couples experience as they become parents. But as with all research, there are some limitations. The sample size was relatively small and consisted primarily of well-educated, middle-to-upper-income couples, limiting the generalizability of the findings.
Future research could include a larger, more diverse group of parents to better understand these patterns across different backgrounds. Additionally, this study only followed parents through the earliest stages of the transition to parenthood. Future research could examine how perceptions of attraction and intimacy evolve over the long term, as couples continue to adapt to parenthood.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241280666) Do you still find me physically attractive? Partners’ daily perceptions of attractiveness during the transition to parenthood,” was authored by Rachel S. Blickman, Marci E. J. Gleason, and Lisa A. Neff.

(https://www.psypost.org/cannabis-use-in-early-pregnancy-not-linked-to-adhd-or-behavioral-disorders-in-kids/) Cannabis use in early pregnancy not linked to ADHD or behavioral disorders in kids
Nov 8th 2024, 06:00

A recent study published in the (https://journals.lww.com/jrnldbp/abstract/9900/prenatal_cannabis_use_and_offspring_attention.212.aspx) Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics found that children whose mothers used cannabis in early pregnancy did not have an increased risk of being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or disruptive behavior disorders by age 11. However, the authors caution that these findings do not dismiss the established risks to maternal and newborn health that (https://www.psypost.org/prenatal-exposure-to-cbd-and-thc-is-linked-to-concerning-brain-changes/) other studies have linked to cannabis use during pregnancy.
Prenatal cannabis use has become a growing concern, with increasing numbers of pregnant individuals in the United States reporting cannabis use for issues such as anxiety, mood disturbances, or pregnancy-related symptoms. Despite some perceptions that cannabis is a safe remedy, studies have shown that it can cross the placenta and potentially impact fetal development.
“Our team has been studying prenatal cannabis use for nearly a decade. During this time, we have seen important increases in rates of cannabis use during pregnancy, corresponding with spreading legalization across the United States and rising perceptions of cannabis safety,” said study author (https://divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org/researchers/young-wolff-kelly/) Kelly Young-Wolff, a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.
“Our time-series (https://divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org/blog/2024/11/01/prenatal-cannabis-use-retail-sales/) study of more than 300,000 pregnancies at Kaiser Permanente Northern California screened for prenatal cannabis use from 2012 to 2019 published in JAMA Health Forum last week found that the implementation of recreational cannabis legalization in California was associated with an immediate rise in rates of prenatal cannabis use. Local policy analyses indicated that this rise was limited to pregnant individuals living in cities and counties that permitted versus banned cannabis retailers.”
“Importantly, our (https://divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org/blog/2023/11/27/cannabis-pregnancy-infant-health-risks/) research has also added to a growing body of evidence indicating that cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth, lower birthweight, small for gestational age babies, and neonatal intensive care unit admission.  Our recent (https://divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org/blog/2024/07/22/cannabis-in-pregnancy-maternal-health-problems/) research has also shown an association between prenatal cannabis use and adverse maternal pregnancy outcomes. We are now examining how maternal prenatal cannabis use relates to adverse health outcomes in childhood.”
The research team conducted a retrospective study of a large cohort of pregnant individuals and their children. This study involved 141,570 children born between 2011 and 2018 to 117,130 mothers enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California healthcare system. All participants underwent universal cannabis screening when they began prenatal care, typically around the eighth to tenth week of pregnancy.
The screening involved two components: a self-reported survey where participants disclosed any cannabis use since becoming pregnant and a urine test to detect recent cannabis use. Researchers classified prenatal cannabis exposure in four ways: (1) any cannabis use (indicated by either self-report or a positive urine test), (2) self-reported cannabis use, (3) a positive urine test, and (4) frequency of cannabis use (categorized as daily, weekly, or monthly or less).
The researchers then tracked the children’s medical records to identify any diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or disruptive behavior disorders up to age 11. The team used statistical models to evaluate potential associations between prenatal cannabis use and these childhood diagnoses. These models controlled for a range of maternal factors that might influence child development, such as socioeconomic status, other substance use during pregnancy, timing of prenatal care initiation, and any pre-existing health conditions.
About 4.6% of the pregnant individuals in the study screened positive for cannabis use. Among these participants, cannabis use was further broken down by frequency, with 0.4% using cannabis daily, 0.5% weekly, 1.1% monthly or less, and 2.7% having an unknown frequency. Around 7.7% of the children in the overall sample were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, while 6.8% were diagnosed with disruptive behavior disorders.
The analysis found no increased likelihood of these disorders among children exposed to cannabis in early pregnancy. For disruptive behavior disorders, there was a slight but statistically significant trend suggesting a lower risk associated with prenatal cannabis exposure when detected through urine testing, though this was not observed with self-reported use. The frequency of cannabis use, whether daily, weekly, or monthly or less, did not affect the outcomes for these childhood disorders.
“Using data from a large sample of pregnant people screened for prenatal cannabis use as part of standard prenatal care, prenatal cannabis use was not associated with an increased risk of offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or disruptive behavior disorders,” Young-Wolff told PsyPost. “However, prenatal cannabis use is a risk factor for adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes, and there are many important reasons for quitting cannabis use when pregnant. Clinicians should continue to educate patients about the potential health risks and provide patient-centered support to help patients make informed decisions about prenatal cannabis use.”
While these findings offer some reassurance, the authors note several limitations. First, the study focused on a sample from a single healthcare system, which might not reflect the experiences of all populations, especially those who do not receive prenatal care or are uninsured. Additionally, the cannabis exposure data only covered early pregnancy; it did not account for whether participants continued to use cannabis later in pregnancy or the type and potency of the cannabis consumed. These factors could impact a fetus differently and might yield different outcomes in other groups.
Another important limitation is the relatively young age of the children at the study’s end. Behavioral and attention disorders can sometimes emerge later in childhood or adolescence, so it remains possible that longer-term follow-up could reveal different results.
The study authors encourage future research to explore cannabis use across all pregnancy trimesters, including dosage and method of consumption. Examining how these factors influence (https://www.psypost.org/prenatal-cannabis-exposure-linked-to-changes-in-brain-structure-and-connectivity/) neurodevelopmental outcomes could offer a clearer understanding of the long-term impacts of prenatal cannabis exposure.
“Research suggests that pregnant people are bombarded with inaccurate messages from social media, cannabis retailers, and peers suggesting that cannabis use during pregnancy is safe,” Young-Wolff explained. “Further, studies have shown that many pregnant patients turn to cannabis to self-medicate pregnancy-related symptoms, such as depression or morning sickness. It is important to remember that pregnant individuals care about having a safe pregnancy and are seeking information about the potential risks associated with using cannabis during pregnancy.”
“While we did not find an association between prenatal cannabis use and childhood ADHD or disruptive behavior disorders in this study, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. If pregnant individuals are considering using cannabis during pregnancy to self- medicate pregnancy-related symptoms, we encourage them to discuss those symptoms with their doctor and use interventions recommended by clinical practice guidelines. If pregnant individuals are not willing to quit using cannabis, we recommend that they try to use it less frequently.”
“Importantly, with legalization, there has been an increase in alternative forms of cannabis administration, including vaping and edibles,” Young-Wolff continued. “The relative risks associated with different routes of cannabis administration during pregnancy are unknown and warrant additional research.”
“We are now screening all pregnant patients in Kaiser Permanente Northern California for modes of cannabis use during pregnancy, and our team received a large grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to study how different modes of cannabis use are related to maternal health outcomes during pregnancy. Our focus group data indicate that pregnant patients want information about whether certain modes of cannabis use are more harmful than others, and we hope to be able to answer this question with our future research.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1097/dbp.0000000000001323) Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study,” was authored by Kelly C. Young-Wolff, Kevin Kong, Stacey E. Alexeeff, Lisa A. Croen, Nina Oberman, Harshal Kirane, Deborah Ansley, Meghan Davignon, Sara R. Adams, and Lyndsay A. Avalos.

(https://www.psypost.org/does-psilocybin-really-provide-long-term-relief-from-depression-as-new-study-suggests/) Does psilocybin really provide long-term relief from depression, as new study suggests?
Nov 7th 2024, 16:00

Psilocybin, the psychedelic substance found in magic mushrooms, is a promising new treatment for psychiatric disorders, especially depression. The beneficial effects on mood and anxiety of psilocybin are rapid and pronounced after just a (https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2206443) single treatment. A small study even suggested that these benefits remain (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02698811211073759) after a year.
But what is really needed is a comparison of the long-term effect of psilocybin with another treatment (an antidepressant) or a placebo. Ideally, neither participants nor staff should be aware of who was given what – this is known as “double blind” and is used to remove bias in studies. Recently, a first such attempt was summarised in a (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258953702400378X?via%3Dihub) published report. It is a six-month follow-up of a short psilocybin trial (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032994) published in 2021.
The original study ran for six weeks and included a group of 59 depressed patients, who were randomly allocated to receive either two doses of psilocybin or daily escitalopram, a commonly prescribed antidepressant. After six weeks, both groups showed reduced depression symptoms, without a difference between the groups.
Now, outcomes at six months have been reported. Depressive symptoms were not found to be different between the psilocybin group and escitalopram at the end of this period. However, some differences were found between the groups, such as greater social functioning and increased meaning in life in the patients receiving psilocybin.
Social functioning was measured using a questionnaire where participants can indicate how much their mental health interfered with their ability to work, manage their home, be sociable and enjoy hobbies. Psilocybin seemed to mainly improve social functioning, but not the ability to work.
Similarly, “meaning in life” was also measured with questionnaires, where the participants indicate how much they agree with statements like: “My life has a clear sense of purpose” and “I have discovered a satisfying life purpose.” Patients who were treated with psilocybin answered these questions more positively than those treated with escitalopram.
Not enough to draw conclusions
It would be tempting to conclude from this study that psilocybin works just as well as commonly described antidepressants in the long term. Unfortunately, the data from this study is insufficient to draw that conclusion. A much larger sample of participants is needed.
Also, many patients (63%) had other treatments in those six months, such as psychotherapy, antidepressants or used psychedelics. Because of the small number of participants and the study design, especially since the need for alternative treatments were not well monitored, the results from this study cannot be used to draw any hard conclusions on the long-term effect of psilocybin.
However, this study is a good example of the tendency of the field to shift away from only looking at short-term antidepressant effects. Many early studies on psilocybin focused on the (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/210962) first few weeks after treatment. More and more studies now follow patients for months or even a year after treatment to see how they fared.
Monitoring the duration of the effect of psilocybin for a minimum of 12 weeks, but ideally up to a year, has also been indicated as an (https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/psychedelic-drugs-considerations-clinical-investigations) important consideration for clinical investigation into the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration. The European Medicines Agency (https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(23)00264-7/fulltext) makes the same point.
Results from the long term will also be vital in determining the safety and cost-effectiveness of psilocybin, given that the treatment needs to be administered in a hospital. This is surely more costly than prescribing antidepressants that can be taken at home.
 
 
This article is republished from (https://theconversation.com) The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the (https://theconversation.com/does-psilocybin-really-provide-long-term-relief-from-depression-as-new-study-suggests-239947) original article.

(https://www.psypost.org/misinformation-on-social-media-leads-to-ineffective-voting-decisions-study-suggests/) Misinformation on social media leads to ineffective voting decisions, study suggests
Nov 7th 2024, 14:00

A recent study published in the journal (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-023-09884-9) Political Behavior examines how social media influences voters’ information-gathering behaviors and decision quality, particularly in an environment where misinformation can spread. The researchers found that while social media platforms can enhance informed voting when posts are factually moderated, misinformation reduces the quality of group decision-making and increases the resources voters spend to stay informed. This effect of misinformation was evident even though participants were often still individually informed, suggesting that misinformation distorts decision quality at a group level.
The study aimed to understand the complex role of social media in democratic elections. In recent elections, the United States has witnessed growing concerns about the impact of social media, not only as an information-sharing tool but also as a possible source of misinformation that could influence public opinion and voting decisions.
Past research has shown that people tend to engage more with information that aligns with their existing beliefs, which can reinforce partisan views and further entrench misinformation. Recognizing the lack of experimental studies on this issue, the researchers set out to examine how access to accurate or misleading content on social media platforms might impact voters’ collective decision quality.
The researchers used a laboratory experiment to simulate how social media influences voting decisions, with a focus on the effects of misinformation. Participants were grouped into small voting populations, each tasked with selecting one of two possible outcomes in several rounds of simulated elections. In each round, one of the two outcomes was designated as “correct,” and participants received a financial reward if they chose the correct outcome.
Additionally, each participant had a unique partisan preference, which created a personal bias toward one of the outcomes, simulating real-world political biases. This design allowed researchers to examine how individual biases and social media interactions affect group decision-making.
Before casting their votes, participants could purchase information about the correct outcome. Each piece of information had a cost, with accuracy improving as participants invested more. This decision mirrored real-life choices where voters often incur time or financial costs to seek information.
The experiment included three main conditions to assess how different levels of information sharing and misinformation influence voting decisions. In the first condition, there was no social media platform available, and participants could not share information; they made their decisions individually. In the second condition, participants could share information on a social media platform, but only accurate information was allowed—moderation ensured that no misinformation could be posted. In the third condition, participants had access to a social media platform where they could post any information, including misinformation.
To further simulate real social media dynamics, participants could choose whom to follow in each round, enabling them to view only posts from specific group members. This feature allowed the researchers to observe patterns in information sharing and engagement, particularly when misinformation was present.
The results showed that access to a moderated social media platform where only accurate information could be shared improved voting accuracy and group decision-making quality. In this condition, participants shared over 90% of the information they acquired, helping others make informed decisions. The introduction of accurate information-sharing on social media led participants to make better voting decisions that aligned more closely with the correct outcomes.
However, when misinformation was allowed, these positive effects disappeared. In the unmoderated social media scenario, participants shared only about half of the information they acquired accurately. Misinformation reduced the overall quality of decision-making, resulting in poorer voting outcomes and lower group payoffs.
Interestingly, the researchers noted that allowing misinformation did not mean that participants were uninformed; in fact, many purchased more information to help them navigate the misinformation environment. Despite this, the presence of misinformation distorted the quality of group decisions, indicating that an overload of information does not necessarily lead to better decisions.
Furthermore, the study showed that misinformation had a social impact on platform engagement. Participants were less likely to interact with others when misinformation was allowed, reducing connections on the social media platform. This finding suggests that misinformation can drive users to disengage from information-sharing platforms, which might, in turn, lower the quality of group decision-making overall.
This study is not without limitations. As a controlled experiment, it simplifies the complex reality of social media interactions in real-world elections. The artificial lab setting and the absence of real-world social cues mean that the results may not fully capture how misinformation affects voting behavior outside the lab. Future research could explore different forms of misinformation, including how different types of content affect voter perceptions and how users respond to fact-checking efforts.
The study, “(https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11109-023-09884-9) Social Media, (Mis)information, and Voting Decisions,” was authored by Prithvijit Mukherjee, John Antonio Pascarella, Lucas Rentschler, and Randy Simmons.

(https://www.psypost.org/friendships-are-driven-by-compatibility-and-support-across-cultures-study-finds/) Friendships are driven by compatibility and support across cultures, study finds
Nov 7th 2024, 12:00

Across 12 nations, people predominantly make friends based on shared traits, support, and socializing opportunities, with lesser emphasis on self-serving goals like career advancement or mating. This research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112774) Personality & Individual Differences.
While the reasons for making friends can vary by individual, the drive to form friendships is a universal human trait. Prior research has shown that people often prioritize friendships that offer social support, compatibility, and companionship, reflecting an evolutionary need for cooperative bonds in human survival and social structures.
Historically, friendship has been seen as a way to enhance social cooperation and mutual support, especially in situations where individuals lack family support. Menelaos Apostolou and colleagues explored these motivations further by examining the potential influence of personality traits—specifically the “Dark Triad” traits (Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy)—on people’s reasons for forming friendships. Their work builds on theories suggesting that friendships can sometimes be more self-serving, like career or mating advantages, in addition to offering social support.
This study recruited 6,224 participants across 12 countries, including China, Greece, India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Mozambique, Peru, Poland, Turkey, and Ukraine. Participants, aged 18 and older, were recruited through a mix of methods tailored to each country’s context. To assess motivations for friendship, the study used a streamlined 15-item questionnaire based on an earlier, more extensive scale developed by (https://www.psypost.org/psychopathic-men-have-more-children-study-finds/) Apostolou et al. (2021). This scale measured different motivations for friendship, such as “Compatibility and other desirable traits,” “Support,” “Socializing,” “Self-serving goals,” and “Mating.”
Participants rated each item on a 5-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” Participants also completed the Short Dark Triad (SD3) scale, a 27-item instrument that evaluates Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy.
Across the full sample, compatibility and desirable traits were ranked as the most important motivations, followed by support and socializing. Participants valued friendships that provided emotional support and included people with whom they could easily connect and share common values or interests. Self-serving goals, such as career advancement, and mating-related motivations were comparatively less important but still notable. This hierarchy of motivations remained relatively consistent across cultures, with slight variations: while socializing was highly valued in all countries, some countries, such as Turkey, rated self-serving goals higher than others, suggesting cultural nuances in how friendships are perceived.
The study also examined the influence of Dark Triad traits on friendship motivations. Individuals who scored higher in Machiavellianism and Narcissism placed greater importance on all reasons for making friends, particularly for self-serving goals and socializing. In contrast, higher Psychopathy scores were generally associated with a lower emphasis on most friendship motivations (https://www.psypost.org/psychopathic-men-have-more-children-study-finds/) except for mating, where those with higher Psychopathy scores showed greater interest.
Demographic differences also emerged; women generally prioritized compatibility, support, and socializing more than men, while men emphasized self-serving goals and mating. Younger individuals valued socializing and support more than older participants, highlighting that friendship motivations might shift over the life span.
One limitation is that the study’s findings are based on self-reported data, which may be influenced by social desirability bias, particularly for self-serving motivations.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112774) Why People Make Friends: Evidence from 12 Nations”, was authored by Menelaos Apostolou, Mark J.M. Sullman, Jessica D. Ayers, Agata Błachnio, Rajneesh Choubisa, Hesham F. Gadelrab, Tetiana Hill, Shanmukh Kamble, Yanina Lisun, Denisse Manrique-Millones, Rosa Millones-Rivalles, Yohsuke Ohtsubo, Aneta Przepiórka, Burcu Tekeş, Germano Vera Cruz, Yan Wang, Yukino Watanabe, and Arya Ghorbani​.

(https://www.psypost.org/sweet-tooth-sweet-disposition-taste-preference-linked-to-personality-in-four-distinct-cultures/) Sweet tooth, sweet disposition? Taste preference linked to personality in four distinct cultures
Nov 7th 2024, 10:00

A recent study in the (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656624000953) Journal of Research in Personality provides evidence of a link between people’s taste preferences and personality traits. The study, conducted across four different countries, suggests that individuals who have a strong liking for sweet foods also tend to be more agreeable. This relationship was small but consistent across participants in China, Germany, Mexico, and the United States, indicating that this connection may be present in diverse cultural backgrounds.
The researchers behind the new study sought to better understand how abstract qualities like kindness or sociability might be associated with concrete sensory experiences, such as taste. One theory, called conceptual metaphor theory, suggests that people often use metaphors that link physical experiences with personality traits. Terms like “sweet” and “sweetie” are commonly used to describe kind or agreeable people, which may create a mental association between sweetness and warmth or friendliness.
Given that past research had already hinted at a link between sweet taste preferences and agreeableness, the team wanted to test if this association was consistent across cultures. If confirmed, this finding could suggest that these metaphorical connections might have a deeper, possibly universal foundation.
“Previous studies already suggested a relationship between agreeableness and sweet taste preferences, but these were done with participants of the United States. Thus, we were wondering whether these findings hold for different cultures and languages,” explained study author Michael Schaefer, a professor at Medical School Berlin.
To conduct their study, the researchers recruited a total of 1,629 participants from four different countries. Each participant completed questionnaires assessing their level of agreeableness and their taste preferences, focusing particularly on sweet tastes. The agreeableness measure included questions about how much participants resonated with statements like “I make people feel at ease,” and responses were recorded on a scale from one (very inaccurate) to five (very accurate). This self-reported score helped create an overall agreeableness rating for each individual.
Participants also completed a detailed survey about their taste preferences. They were asked to rate how much they liked various sweet foods like chocolate cake, ice cream, and honey, as well as foods from other taste categories, including salty, sour, bitter, and spicy. This approach allowed the researchers to determine whether participants had a specific preference for sweet foods or simply enjoyed a variety of tastes.
Participants were also given an option to say they had never tasted a specific item to avoid skewing the results based on unfamiliarity. Each country’s questionnaire was translated into the local language to ensure clarity, and participants were either compensated with course credits or a small cash payment, depending on the country.
The results of the study showed that, across all four countries, there was indeed a positive relationship between agreeableness and a preference for sweet tastes. Although the effect sizes were small, they were consistent. In China, for instance, there was a correlation coefficient of 0.18 between agreeableness and preference for sweet foods, while in Germany, the coefficient was 0.16. In the United States, it was 0.15, and in Mexico, the result was similar at 0.10.
This means that, while the association between agreeableness and a preference for sweets was not especially strong, it was statistically significant in all cases. Additionally, the researchers noted that people with higher agreeableness scores in each country also reported a higher preference for sweet flavors compared to the other tastes they were asked to evaluate.
The study’s findings support the idea that the link between sweet preferences and agreeableness might not only be a quirk of American culture but could also extend across different languages, lifestyles, and cultural norms. This consistency across nations points to the possibility of a universal cognitive association between the concept of “sweetness” and the personality trait of agreeableness.
“Previous studies also suggest that the experience of sweet taste makes people more helpful in their actual behavior,” Schaefer told PsyPost. “However, I think we should be careful when drawing conclusions for everyday life out of these results, especially when considering that the correlations (although significant) are relatively low. So, if we realize on a first date that the other person doesn’t like sweets, we don’t need to look for someone else. What we might take away from these findings is that our thinking and behavior (our personality) is often linked to experiences and sensations in an unconscious way.”
There was no consistent or significant association between agreeableness and preferences for sour or bitter across the samples. However, in three of the four samples (China, Germany, and Mexico), there was a small positive correlation between agreeableness and preference for salty tastes. There was also a small positive correlation between agreeableness and preference for spicy tastes in the Chinese sample.
“We were surprised that we also found relationships of agreeableness with salty taste or spicy taste, but only for some cultures,” Schaefer said. “This is very interesting and was not expected by us.”
Despite the intriguing results, the study some limitations to consider. For instance, because the study was correlational, it’s impossible to say for certain that one causes the other. For instance, people who are agreeable might prefer sweet foods, but it’s also possible that some unrelated factor makes agreeable people more likely to enjoy sweets. Additionally, the researchers relied on self-reported data, which can sometimes be unreliable as people may unconsciously exaggerate or understate their traits and preferences.
“As always, we should be careful when drawing conclusion for everyday life,” Schaefer said.
Future research could look at other personality traits and their possible connections to different tastes. It would also be valuable to use methods beyond self-reporting, such as observing taste preferences in a controlled environment or comparing self-reports with peer evaluations. Additionally, exploring cultures with distinct interpretations of sweetness could offer insights into whether this association is truly universal or culturally specific.
“We want to understand the relationship between the body, the external world and the mind, in particular to understand unconscious influences on our behavior and personality,” Schaefer explained.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2024.104547) Cross-cultural evidence for an association between agreeableness and sweet taste preferences,” was authored by Brian P. Meier, Michael Schaefer, Li-Jun Ji, and Carlota Batres.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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