BACKGROUND Visual presentation of food provides considerable information such as its potential for palatability and availability, both of which can impact eating behavior. METHODS We investigated the subjective ratings for food appeal and desire to eat when exposed to food pictures in a fed sample (n=129) using the computer paradigm ImageRate. Food appeal and desire to eat were analyzed for t...

Affective engineering case studies are reported that demonstrate the selection of shape, colour and surface texture to satisfy people’s preference ratings for products. It is proposed that these studies provide a basis for engineering product appeal. Products of a technically mature market sector could be engineered to encourage their long-lasting or cherishing appeal to their owners. Products ...

BACKGROUND There are concerns that the marketing of e-cigarettes may increase the appeal of tobacco smoking in children. We examined this concern by assessing the impact on appeal of tobacco smoking after exposure to advertisements for e-cigarettes with and without candy-like flavours, such as, bubble gum and milk chocolate. METHODS We assigned 598 English school children (aged 11-16 years) t...

Radical skepticism is the view that we know nothing or at least next to nothing. Nearly no one actually believes that skepticism is true. Yet it has remained a serious topic of discussion for millennia and it looms large in popular culture. What explains its persistent and widespread appeal? How does the skeptic get us to doubt what we ordinarily take ourselves to know? I present evidence from ...