A theoretical analysis of food meaning in anthropology and sociology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present a theoretical analysis that seeks an answer on the question of what the meanings of food are in anthropology and sociology. As a result of the analysis, it is determined that food has three main meanings (i) consumption, (ii) transfer, and (iii) identity. Moreover, six sub-meanings are found under these three main meanings. Consumption is represented by hedonic and symbolic sub-meanings, transfer is represented by culture and emotion sub-meanings, and identity is represented by personal and national identity sub-meanings. One of the reasons that make this work unique is that it defines and categorizes meanings of food in terms of individual and society. Another value added by this study is the Food Meaning Diagram (FMD) as a contribution to the literature. Furthermore, the study provides a basis for the construction of research in the related fields and to guide the studies to be carried out within the framework of human sciences.

Discovery of factors affecting tourists' fine dining experiences at five-star hotel restaurants in Istanbul

“…For this reason, self-esteem can be considered as a result of delight. The study with this finding confirms the idea that food has become a tool that responds to many implicit needs, such as status, prestige, reputation and self-realization beyond physiological needs (Aktas-Polat and Polat, 2020).…”

“…Although food is a biological necessity, it is "one of the basic pleasures built into our nervous system" (Csikszentmihalyi, 2013, p. 113). When this basic pleasure is combined with the experience of dining at a restaurant defined as a kind of hedonic product (Li et al, 2018), it has been taken to a different dimension as a tool of self-realization and prestige (Aktas-Polat and Polat, 2020). As services grow, the importance of customer satisfaction (Anderson et al, 1997) and delight increases.…”

Marketing and family-related factors affecting food label use: the mediating role of consumer knowledge

“…, 2021). Cultural and emotional transfer or sharing also comes into play during food choices (Aktaş-Polat and Polat, 2020). Furthermore, individual dietary requirements may enhance awareness of food label information (Kumar and Kapoor, 2017).…”

“…Thus, hedonic or biological food consumption (for physical needs, e.g. hunger and health) accompanies symbolic meaning attached to consumption in terms of cultural and social contexts and experiences (Lupton, 1994;Aktas ¸-Polat and Polat, 2020). Therefore, guidelines for food consumption should stretch beyond the nutritional aspects to include aspects such as symbolic meaning or value and sustainability (Fabri et al, 2021).…”

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“…This assumption could be legitimate due to the possible influence of health‐conscious consumer behavior on sensitive individuals (Zabkar & Hosta, 2013). Moreover, in anthropology and sociology, the communicative value of food and its function of expressing social status are widely recognized (Aktaş‐Polat & Polat, 2020). In other words, though not explicitly mentioned, the European Commission is wishing for and actively promoting the appearance, diffusion and consolidation of a new “fashion” in a space which displays the most relevant characteristics listed by Blumer's (1969) classical work on the subject: a competitive environment, open to innovation, with people ready to “discard old practices, beliefs, and attachments”; the existence of alternative models; the possibility of making a choice based on values and not on mere utilitarian calculus, because “Where choices can be made between rival models on the basis of objective and effective tests, there is no place for fashion”; and presence of prestige figures who espouse one or another of the competing models. …”