Why Do Some People Enjoy Watching Other People Eat?
There have been quite a few controversial internet video trends over the years. Psychological research can help us understand why some people enjoy watching things that others may find anything from gross to infuriating or simply boring.
Mukbang videos can be both helpful and hurtful
The scientists performed a qualitative analysis of YouTube comments and Reddit posts about watching Mukbang videos. Eating together is often a communal experience and if someone feels lonely because they have to eat alone, watching a Mukbang video may give them a sense of community at the table that they would miss otherwise. For other viewers, however, watching Mukbang videos could also have negative effects.
Mukbang videos showing unhealthy eating behavior get more views
The scientists found out that videos that showed overeating were watched significantly more often than videos without overeating. Here, a fourfold increase in views over videos not showing such content was observed. Thus, taken together, viewers seem to enjoy Mukbang videos that show rather unhealthy eating behavior.
Problematic Mukbang watching is related to loneliness
A third recent study looked a problematic Mukbang watching, for example, if people spend so much time watching Mukbang videos that it starts resembling an addiction. The scientists concluded that excessive watching of Mukbang videos might be a dysfunctional coping mechanism in some people that feel lonely and wish to eat together with others.
What are your thoughts? Could eating be an unhealthy coping mechanism to cover other needs?
#Eating #Health #Loneliness
@calmDew1576
when i saw your title I only thought of those who have strange urge to watch some people over eat never thought of watching to simulate having a communal eating experience but that sounds like it might be plausible.
I am not sure what people get out of watching other gorge themselves ... but i see most repeated behavior has or had some sort of psychological payoff.....
@toughTiger6481 I agree! That's why it's a very interesting research. If you see food as a social activity too apart from the need for food it is interesting. Personally when I am home alone I like to keep the tv on, just to hear other people talking. It's interesting how our social need works and the effect it has in our life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!