Psych 110 - Written Report

Delay-Torga-Singson-Sindayen Gregorio Del Pilar Psychology 110 28, 2007

Prof. September

Research Topic: Gender Differences in Eating Behavior Gender differences in eating behavior specifically food intake rate was observed systematically by observing same sex couples and opposite sex couple Researchers:

Sara Lee D. San Jose

Beverly Jane Baylon Calvin Ray Aquino Psych 118 submitted to Prof. Ma. Fe Domingo 1st SEM, 93-94 I.

Background of the Problem

According to the study of Pliner and Chaiken (1989), eating behavior can be attributed to gender since masculine and feminine roles are stereotyped on individuals in our society. Men and women are then expected to exhibit behavior that is expected of their gender, “typically masculine” for men and “typically feminine” for women. Eating behavior is believed to have some contribution in self identification. The study of Pliner and Chaiken (1989) reveals that men and women tend to eat less when eating in the presence of the opposite sex. This study aims to find out if the behavior observed and results would hold true in natural setting and across cultures since the study done by Pliner and Chaiken was conducted in highly controlled experiment setting done in a foreign setting.

II.

Procedure a. Subjects: Systematically observed 45 couples adjacent to the table occupied by the researchers eating during lunch time at Jollibee, Philcoa. The 45 participants were consisted of 15 opposite sex couples (malefemale), 15 same sex couples (male-male) and 15 same sex couple (female-female).

b. Instruments: 1. A 1 x 4 analysis of variance was used to see if there’s a significant difference in the food intake rate across different couple classification. 2. Pearson (r) was also used to see if the food intake rate of the participant is correlated to the food intake rate of his/her companion. 3. 2 way ANOVA was also performed on the food intake rate of the participants and the sex of the companion.

c. Procedure

The researchers observed the eating behavior specifically food intake rate of 45 couples eating at Jollibee, Philcoa. Both individuals in the couple are considered both as a participant and a companion. Only the 1st minute of the food intake was recorded and the recording started at the onset of the first food intake rate upon sitting at the chair. Prior to actual observation, an inter-observer reliability test was conducted by the researcher’s by observing and recording of the food intake rate 20 couples, regardless of couple type . After which, food intake recorded by the researchers were compared and an inter-observer-reliability was computed. A 95% inter-observer reliability came about, thus indicated that common standards were observed by the researchers. Each observer was assigned one day of observation of which only peripheral vision was used in order to avoid reactivity. The observation then went for three days.

III.

Results

Correlational analysis showed that the FIR of the participant is correlated with the FIR of their companions [r (45) = 0.51, p < .05]. Among the three couple classifications, the male-male couples had the highest mean of FIR (x=7.033) followed by the female-female couples (x=5.633) and male-female couples (x=3.8) The means of the same sex couples (MM and FF) (X=6.3) is higher than food intake rate of opposite sex couple (MF). Using a one way ANOVA, the difference in the food intake rate across different couples classification were found to be significant [F (2.87) =37.83, p <.05]. Scheffe’s test further reveals significance in

between MM and FF couples [F (2.42) = 58.18, p < .05] and between FF and MF couples [F (2.42) = 20.3, p < .05]. A 2 way ANOVA was also performed on the food intake rate with the sex of the participants and sex of the companion. Results indicate a significant difference in FIR across the participant’s sex [F (1.86) =42.38, p < .05], as well as across the companion sex [F (18.66), p < .05]. There was also an interaction between the sexes of the participants and the sexes of the companion [F (1.86) =41.67, < .05] Mean analysis shows that the FIR of males with a female companion (x=7.033) are lower than the FIR of those with a male companion (x=4.563). Furthermore, FIR of females with a male companion (x=3) are lower than those with a female companion (x=5.633). In an opposite sex couple, the female had a lower FIR compared to the male.

IV.

Conclusion

Food intake behavior specifically food intake rate is influenced by the gender of the person we are eating with. The stereotypes the society has on how a male or female should act in a certain way reflects on eating behavior as well that’s why women tend to have low intake rate compared to men whether they are eating with a person of same sex or opposite sex. Eating behavior contributes to one’s self identification – the process or means of showing oneself to be a particular type of person. We want to