Speculating on the scientifically proven memory unreliability, the memory specialist Elizabeth Loftus, a professor of psychology at the University of California at Irvine thought of using the technique of false memory induction as a new approach to dieting. And this is how: by inducing false memories about specific foods.
It was proven by scientific studies that under the right circumstances, false memories can be easily ingrafted in some people. Amazing results were obtained from performing such tests and studies on this topic: successfully instilling false memories from plausible false childhood memories (which are easy to instill) and imagination inflation to impossible memories (such as pretense memories from the first year of life - it is known that such memories are impossible from the strictly physiological point of view, because of the insufficient maturation of the hippocampus, which plays a key role in the creation of retrievable memories).
On a study made on a group of students on food preferences, they ranked a range of foods on a scale of one to five. In a second phase the students were shown a presumptive childhood food profile which had been made-up containing false memories of bad experiences during childhood when eating dill pickles or hard-boiled eggs. Ulterior questionning of students on their food memories revealed that 25 percent in the pickle group and 31 percent in the hard-boiled eggs group thought that they had indeed gotten sick from the food as children.
However, most of the subjects didn't fall for the fake memories.
So, a first weak part in applying this technique is thus revealed: only a certain category of people is more susceptible for adopting suggestioned memories as their own. These persons share specific traits such as lapses in memory and attention. Also, people who are adept at visual imagery may be prone to suggestion.
The second soft spot of this theory is that there are limits to influencing eating habits, it cannot be applied for every food. For example, it was proven on a previous study that although suggestioned against potato chips consumption, people could not be convinced to avoid this food. A possible explanation would be the fact that they had plenty of experience with the food.
On the other hand, false memories induction can help influencing not only avoidance of certain foods but also healthy food choices.
Another potential problem that could be generated when applying this "therapy" might be the total exclusion of the targeted food or even food group from one's diet, which cannot be totally convenient.
This ground is still experimental, the theory is being subjected to further study and is still too preliminary to clearly indicate how it might be applied into dieting.
Thinking that memories can be erased or instilled at one's will (usually a psychiatrist's will) generates a great deal of inquietude for many of us. Well, however much the False Memories Syndrome might be a trouble generator, its adjustment for dietary needs would be a very convenient solution for solving some unwanted cravings and a very good helper or even replacement to will training.
Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.dietsindex.com where you can find more information about http://www.dietsindex.com.
Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared; mailto:lauracio@gmail.com.
limousine Ackley .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThis past Christmas Season, as most of us stuffed our... Read More
According to the American Obesity Association, an astounding 64.5 percent... Read More
Do you know what the words really mean on food... Read More
1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More
Dieters dread the plateau. You're on a roll, losing weight... Read More
All of our behavior results from the thoughts that preceded... Read More
Healthy eating has become part of your life, but you're... Read More
One of the difficulties with dieting is the well known... Read More
Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More
While low-fat dieters and non-dieters may want to avoid chicken... Read More
Getting enough of the good fats will help you lose... Read More
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More
The people of earlier times depended on the rich resource... Read More
Are you one of the many who may be tempted... Read More
The Sour Truth -------------------------- Question: I had a baby 6... Read More
There are all kinds of fad diets and quick fixes... Read More
I am embarrassed to admit how many different commercial weight... Read More
It can be intimidating to follow a weight loss plan,... Read More
Please feel free to comment, to provide good information and... Read More
Losing fat in my opinion is not all that difficult.... Read More
Fifteen years ago the doctor's suggested that we eat pasta... Read More
Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot of... Read More
--ONE--Learn how to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content... Read More
With the number of people suffering from obesity rising so... Read More
Do you have a big event coming up? Perhaps you... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare Alexander ..What is a mini tummy tuck? Officially called a partial... Read More
I'm sure you have heard it before, but one of... Read More
Infrared Radiant Heat (IRRH) is a form of radiation that... Read More
I personally lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
(But What You Need to Know if You Want to... Read More
I'm sick of all the fad diets I see people... Read More
All Diets Are Based on the Same Premise: Eat Less... Read More
Do you struggle to maintain or lose weight? If so,... Read More
Plan to eat two to three hours and pack health... Read More
Steady gains made in improvement in life expectancy may be... Read More
The Atkins diet can be boring because of the limited... Read More
Cellulite - Reduce The Appearance --------------------------------- Sallie Elizabeth has always... Read More
Imagine this ... What if you could ?Increase the rate... Read More
Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives... Read More
Every day, it seems, a new study pertaining to weight... Read More
How many of your New Year's resolution start out with... Read More
Think for a moment about the highest mountain you ever... Read More
Speculating on the scientifically proven memory unreliability, the memory specialist... Read More
A fill is nothing to be worried about. The actual... Read More
The Quest to Reach Your Ideal WeightIt was late in... Read More
Which diet pill are you currently taking for your weight... Read More
Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More
To begin this article I must start with it's conclusion.The... Read More
Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight... Read More
Learning the jargon is part of the weight loss journey.... Read More
Weight Loss |