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.
scheduled cleaning services Winnetka ..Do you know anybody who does not wish to get... Read More
When I decided to lose weight I of course decided... Read More
Dieting is not easy. If it were, we would probably... Read More
Make sure that no more than a quarter of your... Read More
I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More
The weight loss protein debate centers around the effectiveness of... Read More
More than any other time in history, people are all... Read More
Gastric bypass patients often find themselves regaining weight soon after... Read More
Are you dieting your way to bone loss?Are you aware... Read More
Cardio Exercise...A huge variety of fitness activities provide cardiovascular benefits.... Read More
Being over weight is usually being 20 percent or more... Read More
Eating when under stress isn't just about filling an emotional... Read More
There are many subscriber programs available both online and in... Read More
From driving up your blood pressure and cholesterol, to increasing... Read More
Negative calorie foods are said to use more calories to... Read More
According to the American College of Surgeons, most severely obese... Read More
Axiom Number One - Nourish your body.Probably the most important... Read More
If you pick the right personal trainer?you'll most definitely see... Read More
That's a pretty "in your face" statement, but really it's... Read More
All of the things we tell sick people so that... Read More
I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More
It is important that the public not only understand the... Read More
If anyone knows anything about fitness, it's that a low... Read More
"Life is like a box of chocolates," drawled Forrest Gump.Metaphors... Read More
Here are 5 solutions to slimming:1. Set Mini-Goals: Try setting... Read More
reliable maid service Lincolnshire ..Most men and women that I have trained over the... Read More
Do you know that while you work out the muscles... Read More
You may not like what I'm about to say, but... Read More
Want to shed that beer belly? Why not try the... Read More
Are you one of the many people who feel frustrated... Read More
We know that children are becoming obese at an alarming... Read More
Yes, you read it right?no diets!The first step in this... Read More
After weight loss surgery it is important to include as... Read More
I am a Registered Dietitian who has spent over 10,000... Read More
People always ask me " how it is that your... Read More
Fifteen Secrets of Safe and Easy Permanent Weight Loss Revealed!*... Read More
Good health is an invaluable bliss and you cannot simply... Read More
(Ailsa's Apple Crumble Diet)I'm Scottish, so it's not a big... Read More
To say that dieting rarely leads to sustainable weight loss... Read More
According to a recent survey by the National Health Institute,... Read More
Weight loss is a hot topic among people today, especially... Read More
How's this for a diet: Take in fewer calories than... Read More
Don't get discouraged. I, too, have found myself in this... Read More
Weight Loss ? Basic Lessons for Sustained SuccessWeight loss is... Read More
The perfect diet should be combined with a healthy weight... Read More
Here come the candy canes. In our house, Santa always... Read More
Although many patients have few problems after bariatric surgery, there... Read More
You will be surprised to find out how many people... Read More
CancerCoronary heart diseaseStrokeOsteoporosisMajor Depression from Brain StarvationHeadlines.WASHINGTON, Jun 22, 2004... Read More
I had some questions come in about Ephedra. So I... Read More
Weight Loss |