How Media Affects Food Consumption

This symbol of a little flower is placed on the packages of food that was irradiated. Irradiation refers to the process when food is exposed to ionized radiation which helps in extending the shelf-life of the food. It therefore reduces the chance of food contamination from disease-causing bacteria. However, irradiation is known to damage food. Irradiated foods can lose important vitamins and minerals.

Sexual Imagery

Sexual imagery is also elicited in the marketing of products and food as well. The links marketers can use are extensive. They can use events, symbols, flags, models, and glamor – all to produce a positive image about the product even though they know that the product may be harmful for human consumption.

Burger ad showing a woman in a Bikini.

Reinventing the Product

Also, the image of a product can change constantly to simply keep the product sales from declining. All products go through a product life cycle – from introduction to the market to decline – but an ad can reinvent a product to always appeal to the young and stay in trend. Of course, the product packaging would change with the trends.

Energy drink television ad. This ad shows how a product can be reinvented.

Another energy ad. This one is more associated with sexual imagery.

Reciprocity Norm

So the next time you go out eating in a restaurant recognize that the beautiful music playing in the background, the brown earthy colours of the room and its furniture and the luxurious fine wines offered, are all unconditioned stimuli intended to evoke that pleasant feeling associated with the environment, the host, and the food. Perhaps, now you would be more comfortable to spend money lavishly while you are submerged in luxury.

Music

Music has also been known to influence behaviour and, if I should add, morals. It is the Platonic idea that good music makes a good moral society. However, the definition of good music is subjective and the the ultimate goals could easily be based on the promotion of the musical tastes of the dominant class. However, many believe that there are insufficient studies that support the various hypotheses behind music (and this is another issue that deserves a separate writing).

This burger commercial uses music to persuade the buyer by developing a romantic relationship between the product and consumer.

Extra-Message Peripheral Cues

Burger commerical. The burger is elevated as the ideal food for men.

Become Aware of How the Media Affects Food Consumption

Kids are the main targets for junk food commercials. The commericals appeal to children because of the use of music, dance, repetition, and colours.