SOCIAL FACILITATION OF EATING AMONG FRIENDS AND STRANGERS

Research suggests that meals eaten with other people are larger than m eals eaten alone. The effect of group size and acquaintance on consump tion was investigated by serving dinner to female subjects alone, in p airs or in groups of four. Subjects dined alone, with friends or with strangers. Subjects in both pairs and groups of four ate more than did subjects alone, suggesting that the mere presence of others is more i mportant in enhancing intake than the specific number of people presen t. Subjects with friends ate more dessert than subjects with strangers , indicating that the relationship of dining companions is an importan t factor contributing to social facilitation.