From baby bottles to seasoned tofu: The amazing adventure of our food preference
Conference summary
Far from being purely innate, our tastes develop at the crossroads of biology, psychology and culture. While children have a natural aversion to bitterness — a survival instinct that may help protect them from poisonous substances — their taste preferences expand through repeated exposure, social imitation and shared enjoyment. As adults, our brains can even reverse our preferences by associating initially unpleasant flavours, such as chilli or beer, with positive experiences or social rituals.
Through entertaining anecdotes and scientific insights, this talk explores the remarkable adaptability of our palate. You will discover how our environment and upbringing shape what we eat, showing that dislike is not necessarily permanent and that taste is something we continue to learn throughout our lives.
About the speaker
Laurent Bègue-Shankland is a Professor of Social Psychology at Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), an Honorary Member of the Institut Universitaire de France, and a Visiting Professor at Stanford University. The author of more than one hundred academic papers and several books, including his latest work, Face aux animaux, which received the Prix de l’Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques, he currently heads the Maison des Sciences Humaines Alpes (CNRS/UGA).
Informations :
- Free admission, open to everyone with mandatory registration.
- Registration is open HERE.
- The conference will be followed by Q&A session with the audience, and coffee will be provided for particpants.
- Questions ? Contact us !