Impact of glass shape on time taken to drink a soft drink: A laboratory-based experiment

Langfield, Tess; Pechey, Rachel; Pilling, Mark; Marteau, Theresa

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202793

Cited by 8 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…There was no evidence that total drinking time differed depending on the glass being drunk from (failing to replicate a previous study 17 ), though there was some evidence that drinking trajectories differed, with more decelerated drinking from outward-sloped glasses-characterised by a greater amount consumed in the first half of the drinking episode-and more linear drinking from straight-sided glasses. While this indicates that straight-sided glasses may lead to a different pace of drinking, it remains to be seen whether glass shape influences the amount that is consumed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…In a between-subjects design, participants were randomised (stratified by gender) to receive a soft drink in one of two glasses (straight-sided or outward-sloped tumbler). Participants consumed the drink at their own pace while watching a nature documentary (as in previous studies; 16,17 ), and the primary outcome was total drinking time. Video recordings were taken during the experiment and subsequently coded for all drinking behaviours-total drinking time, drinking trajectory i.e., drinking pattern over time, mean sip size, mean interval duration, and mean sip duration.…”

Section: Straight-sidedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Video recordings were taken during the experiment and subsequently coded for all drinking behaviours-total drinking time, drinking trajectory i.e., drinking pattern over time, mean sip size, mean interval duration, and mean sip duration. After finishing the drink, participants completed a midpoint estimation task by physically filling or emptying drinks from the same shape glass they had previously drunk from until the glass was perceived to be half-full (a task used in previous studies; 17,20 ). Midpoint bias reflected estimations which deviated from the drink's true halfway point (i.e., underfilling or overfilling the glass).…”

Section: Straight-sidedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, when estimating the volume remaining in a drink, people may use height as a cue to volume 19 . For example, the true midpoint of drinks presented in outward-sloped glasses is underestimated, as compared to straight-sided ones 16,17,20 . This midpoint bias reflects an inability to make accurate visual judgments about the volume remaining in the glass, which might in turn influence drinking speed and amount consumed.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We used video recordings to extract relevant information, including the height of liquid remaining in the glass, which allowed us to model the pace of consumption over time-i.e., 'drinking trajectory'-from the images. The experimental procedures have been used in previous studies also measuring the effect of glass shape on total drinking time 16,17 , and drinking trajectory 21 . Study 2 extended Study 1 by exploring the effect of glass shape on the volume consumed, using more extreme differences in glass shape-comprising straight-sided wine flutes vs. outward-sloped martini coupes (see Fig.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Glass shape influences drinking behaviours in three laboratory experiments

Langfield

Pechey

Gilchrist

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Reducing consumption of drinks which contain high levels of sugar and/or alcohol may improve population health. There is increasing interest in health behaviour change approaches which work by changing cues in physical environments ("nudges"). Glassware represents a modifiable cue in the drinking environment that may influence how much we drink. Here, we report three laboratory experiments measuring consumption of soft drinks served in different glasses (straight-sided vs. outward-sloped), using distinct paradigms to measure drinking. In Study 1 (N = 200), though total drinking time was equivalent, participants consumed a soft drink with a more 'decelerated' trajectory from outward-sloped tumblers, characterised by a greater amount consumed in the first half of the drinking episode. In Study 2 (N = 72), during a bogus taste test, participants consumed less from straight-sided wine flutes than outward-sloped martini coupes. In Study 3 (N = 40), using facial electromyography to explore a potential mechanism for decreased consumption, straight-sided glasses elicited more 'pursed' lip embouchures, which may partly explain reduced consumption from these glasses. Using a combination of methods, including objective measures of volume drunk and physiological measures, these findings suggest that switching to straight-sided glasses may be one intervention contributing to the many needed to reduce consumption of health-harming drinks. Overconsumption of drinks containing excess sugars and alcohol is a major threat to population health globally 1-4. Sugary drink consumption, in particular, is linked with a number of health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others 5,6. Developing novel and effective interventions to change drinking behaviour is thus an important goal of research and policy. There is increasing interest in approaches that work by changing cues in physical environments-known also as "nudging" 7-10. Broadly speaking, these interventions are thought to engage automatic (rather than reflective) processes, requiring relatively less active engagement or high-level cognitive processing to elicit a change in behaviour than other types of behaviour change techniques 11. One aspect of the drinking environment that has the potential to influence drinking behaviour-possibly outside of awareness-is the glassware in which drinks are served. There is a growing evidence base for the effect of glass size and shape on drinking behaviours. Wine glass size has increased over the past 300 years-in particular in the last 30 years 12-with some evidence that the use of larger wine glasses increases wine consumed 13-15. The shape of a glass-in particular, whether it is outwardsloped or straight-sided-may also influence consumption. Two studies have explored the impact of glass shape on the total time spent drinking. One study found slower consumption from straight-sided glasses for beer served in beer glasses, though no evidence that soft drink consumption differed 16. These authors argued that the ef...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Straight-sidedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Straight-sidedmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Glass shape influences drinking behaviours in three laboratory experiments

Langfield

Pechey

Gilchrist

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Altering Choice Architecture to Alter Drinking Behaviour: Evidence from Research on Lower Strength Alcohol Labelling and Glass Design

Vasiljevic

Pechey

2021

The Palgrave Handbook of Psychological Perspectives on Alcohol Consumption

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This chapter brings together recent work investigating the impact of the physical microenvironment on alcohol-related perceptions and behaviour, taking examples of how altering the ways in which alcoholic drinks (in particular wine and beer) are presented can impact on perceptions of these drinks, as well as purchasing and consumption. In particular, this chapter outlines research relating to the use of (a) labels indicating lower alcohol strength, and (b) glasses of different sizes and shapes. The existing evidence base is small, and highlights that robust investigation of both mechanisms and intervention efficacy are needed. Future studies designed to examine choice architecture interventions should take a whole systems approach, exploring how the alcohol industry and retailers respond to interventions, for example, through branding and marketing.

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