GAC029: Psychology: Assessment Event 2: Observing and analyzing behavior

Hunger Motivation

Student name: Simona Pinas

Teacher: Mr. Anis

Date: Feb, 29th,2020

Word count: 1463

GAC029: Psychology Simona Pinas ALPH49592

Table of contents

Abstract …………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………. page 3

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….… page 4

Research Methodology ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… page 5

Identifying the Subjects ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… page 5

Research Results .…………..……………………………………………………………………………..…………………… page 6

Discussion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. page 8

Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….. page 9

Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. page 10

Reference list ………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………. page 11

GAC029: Psychology Simona Pinas ALPH49592

Abstract

This report will be based on observing the eating habits of five different people in order to get a
better idea of what motivates their feelings of hunger. To understand why they eat the way they do and
get a small glimpse into their everyday eating rituals, all five subjects will be observed in a controlled
environment of a school. Conclusions will be made based on a week’s worth of findings.

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Introduction

One of the most important relationships we experience in life is our intimate bond with food.
Indeed, in modern day society, people obsess about their diets, daily calorie intake, eating disorders,
going vegetarian or vegan, eating organic food, etc. Food has never before played such an important role,
or been more readily available to us. The old adage ‘you are what you eat’ is taking on a whole new
meaning as scientists continue to research and uncover the impact food has on brain function.

The purpose of this research is to uncover the different motivations hidden behind our feeling of
hunger. What in our subconscious causes us to eat? Are our motives for consuming food biological,
psychological, or environmental? It goes without saying that different people have different eating habits
and food preferences, but this paper will attempt to discover what triggers their feelings of hunger, and if
those motivations are different for every person.

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Research Methodology

This paper will concentrate on one aspect of the complicated relationship we have with food – our
hunger motivation. This primal drive we all possess can be influenced by numerous factors. Motivations
for hunger are complicated and varied. People do not only eat when they are hungry. In order to discover
what motivates our hunger, five different subjects have been selected. For better results, this research will
be conducted in a controlled environment of a local school (AlphaMax Academy, Paramaribo) where the
subjects study or work. Their eating habits will be closely observed over a period of a week. The findings
will then be analyzed, and conclusions and recommendations made.

Identifying the Subjects

All five subjects for this paper have been selected within the confines of the school (AlphaMax
Academy, Paramaribo, Suriname) where their behavior and attitudes towards food can be observed in
close vicinity. They are as follows:

Subject 1: An obese male adolescent; approximately 13 years old; in the process of preparing for the
CPEA exam.

Subject 2: Heavy-set teenager, male, approximately 15 years of age, in puberty, very physically active.

Subject 3: Skinny 18 year-old-girl, vegan, about to graduate high-school and preparing to go to

university.

Subject 4: Elderly female teacher, in her 50s, physically inactive and experiencing menopause.

Subject 5: Kindergartener, girl, 5 years old, physically active, very well developed for her age.

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Research Results

Subject 1: Over the period of one week this subject has been observed eating fried food, high in fat and
carbohydrates. Not only was his diet unhealthy (since it barely contained any fruits or vegetables a
growing boy would need), but it was also consumed in large quantities and numerous times during the
course of the day.

Subject 2: Of all the subjects observed, this subject’s diet was the most difficult to pinpoint and
understand. He ate everything, in large amounts, often borrowing food from other students. Over the
period of one week, each day, he consumed food from every food group represented in the food
pyramid, including large amounts of sweets.

Subject 3: This subject gave most cause for concern, since she was barely seen eating anything during
class hours, over the period of a week. The subject would often complain that food sold in the school
canteen never included anything vegan, but after careful observation, it has become apparent that this
subject suffers from an eating disorder. Her hunger was usually quashed by drinking large amounts of
water.

Subject 4: This subject was observed eating only once during school hours every day. The meals were
always perfectly timed, and upon closer inspection, observed to contain large quantities of vegetables,
fruits and nuts. The subject never snacked and consumed large quantities of water.

Subject 5: Just like subject 4, this subject was also observed bringing her own food to school every day.
In fact, she arrived carrying a large, pink thermos that contained a full meal – from soup, rice, vegetables
and meat, to the desert, usually consisting of a healthy amount of local, seasonal fruit. This subject’s diet
seemed to be very well balanced.

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Healthy and Unhealthy diets

healthy
40%

Unhealthy
60%

healthy Unhealthy

Of the five subjects observed, three exhibited unhealthy diet choices (subjects 1, 2 and 3) and two
followed a healthy, nutritious diet plan (subjects 4 and 5).

Hunger though motivation

Biological Psychological Environmental

Two subjects exhibited hunger motivated by psychological factors (subject 1, who was motivated
by anxiety caused by the upcoming test, and subject 3, who seemed to exhibit an eating disorder caused
by psychological issues). Two showed hunger motivated by biological factors (subject 4, who followed a
strict dietary plan in order to improve her overall physical health, and subject 5, who ate wholesome,
nutritious meals made to support her physical development). Only subject 2 exhibited hunger motivated
by environmental factors, eating simply because the food was there.
GAC029: Psychology Simona Pinas ALPH49592

Discussion

From the observations made over the period of a week it is easy to see that everyone has different
eating habits and food preferences. It is also obvious to note that different people eat for different
reasons, and that hunger can be triggered by many distinct feelings, or lack thereof. In the case of
subject 1, hunger was fueled by anxiousness over the upcoming test. Subject 2 often stated that he ate
all the time because of his love of food and the overall feeling of boredom. In the case of subject
number 3, further research is needed, including professional help, to determine why there appeared to
be no feeling of hunger. Subject 4 ate food that had been carefully calculated, measured and well
thought out. When asked, she admitted that she didn’t always enjoy it, but was following a strict
regimen in order to improve her overall health. Subject 5 seemed to exhibit complete unawareness of
her diet, and said she only ate what her mother had packed for her on any given day. But, she was
observed eating it with gusto.

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Conclusion

Hunger can be triggered by many different factors – sleep deprivation, which often accompanies
menopause (subject 4), nervousness (subject 1), boredom (subject 2), visual triggers, the aroma that
tickles the nose, etc. In modern day society, it is no longer a mere physiological sensation, but a need
that has to be satiated. There are biological, psychological, and even environmental causes for why we
feel hungry and want to eat more. From lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances, dehydration, to eating our
feelings, cold weather and social settings, anything can set off that pang in our stomachs. Unfortunately,
the availability of food to satiate our cravings has never been greater, and compels us all to exhibit more
willpower, take greater care of our overall health and pay more attention to nutrition.

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Appendix

Observation Gender: Male

1 Age: 13
Is currently preparing for a CPEA exam and exhibits traits of nervous eating. Food
unhealthy and large in quantities.

Observation 2 Gender: Male

Age: 15
Has a big liking towards exercise and eats quite a lot on a daily basis. Is observed
eating a lot more junk food than healthy food, often reaching for whatever is
around.

Observation 3 Gender: Female

Age: 18
Preparing to go to university. Vegan. Says that she would rather eat in the comfort
of her home than in school.

Observation 4 Gender: Female

Age: 50’s
Going through menopause. Takes extra care of her health, by making sure her daily
meals are nutritious. Eats at regular intervals.

Observation 5 Gender: Female

Age: 5
Very active, looks to be healthy and well developed for her age. Eats whatever is
prepared for her beforehand.

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References

No author. (No year). Hunger and eating. Available:

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-psychology/chapter/introduction-hunger-and-
eating/. Last accessed January 30th 2020.

No author. (No year). Hunger Motivation. Available: https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-

guides/psychology/psychology/psychology-motivation/hunger-motivation. Last accessed
January 30th 2020.

Yella Hewings-Martin, Ph.D. (October 31, 2017). The science of hunger. Available:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319921.php#1. Last accessed January 30th
2020.

Cell Press. “Hunger May Be More Motivating Than Thirst, Anxiety or Fear.”
NeuroscienceNews, (3 October 2016). http://neurosciencenews.com/hunger-motivation-
neuroscience-5186. Last accessed January 30th 2020.

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