Distracted while enjoying your favorite meal or TV show? A new study suggests that distractions during everyday pleasurable activities can lead to reduced enjoyment and satisfaction, resulting in overconsumption as individuals attempt to compensate for the lost gratification.
The study, published by the American Psychological Association, included two experiments examining the relationship between distraction and hedonic consumption across various activities. The first experiment included 122 participants, while the second was a 7-day experience sampling study with 220 participants aged 18 to 71 years (M = 26.10 years). Most participants in the second study were German (93.18%) and students (65.45%). The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (July to November 2020) when governmental restrictions were in place in Germany.
Researchers assessed how distractions impacted enjoyment and satisfaction during activities such as eating, drinking (except water), smoking, media use, recreational drug use, gambling, gaming, reading, and sports/exercise. Participants reported their expected enjoyment before the activity and their actual enjoyment and satisfaction afterwards. They were also asked about their desire for further gratification following the activity.
Results showed that participants who were distracted during the activities reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, which was associated with increased snacking and a general desire for further gratification later on. This effect, termed "hedonic compensation," suggests that distractions can diminish the enjoyment of activities, leading individuals to overconsume in an attempt to meet their hedonic expectations. Participants were also more likely to engage in similar consumption types after an unsatisfactory experience, suggesting domain-specific compensation in addition to the general effect.
Key predictors explained 0.98% of the variance in actual-expected enjoyment discrepancy, 10.50% in consumption satisfaction, and 0.94% in need for further gratification. While the study provides strong evidence for the hedonic compensation effect, the researchers acknowledge some inconsistencies in the direct and indirect effects, suggesting other unexamined influences may also play a role.
The study's lead author noted that these findings align with previous research conducted in other contexts, demonstrating the broad applicability of the hedonic compensation effect. This study is unique in its examination of multiple activities and its focus on real-life distractions.
The researchers suggest that interventions aimed at reducing distractions during consumption experiences could help mitigate overconsumption. Strategies that promote mindful consumption and attentional focus may enhance the enjoyment of activities and reduce the need for hedonic compensation. However, the observational nature of the study cannot prove causation, and further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential interventions.
Full disclosures can be found in the study.
