Have you ever wondered if your food and drink preferences say anything about your personality? Well, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Innsbruck in Austria, certain foods and drinks could be linked to specific personality traits. This resurfaced study from 2016 has gained attention once again, and it appears that black coffee drinkers may not be pleased with the results.
The investigation involved analyzing over 900 participants and their favorite foods and drinks. These individuals then completed a personality test focusing on traits associated with anti-social behavior such as psychopathy, narcissism, aggression, and sadism. The findings of the study suggested a connection between the 'increased enjoyment of bitter foods and heightened sadistic proclivities.' Notable examples of such foods included black coffee, gin and tonic, and dark chocolate.
In their research, the scholars stated, 'In two studies, we investigated how bitter taste preferences might be associated with anti-social personality traits. Two US American community samples self-reported their taste preferences using two complementary preference measures and answered a number of personality questionnaires assessing Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, everyday sadism, trait aggression, and the Big Five factors of personality.'
Furthermore, they affirmed, 'The results of both studies confirmed the hypothesis that bitter taste preferences are positively associated with malevolent personality traits, with the most robust relation to everyday sadism and psychopathy.'
While this study may have caused concern for black coffee drinkers and fans of other bitter foods, it's worth noting that personal food preferences alone cannot conclusively determine one's personality or behavioral traits. The research provides insight into potential associations, but it is not a definitive indicator.
Interestingly, the study isn't the only one that attempted to link personality traits with other preferences. A separate survey conducted by Scrap Car Comparison aimed to measure psychopathic traits among drivers. Surprisingly, BMW drivers scored the highest on the survey, with an average of 12.1 out of a possible 36 points. Audi drivers were a close second, scoring 11.7 on average.
The survey's traits included measuring superficial charm, a grandiose sense of self-worth, and a lack of remorse or guilt. It's important to note, however, that scoring high on this survey does not mean someone is a psychopath. The range of scores fell within the 'no psychopathy' category.
In summary, if you enjoy black coffee, gin and tonic, or dark chocolate, it doesn't necessarily mean you have malevolent personality traits. While these studies provide interesting insights, they are not definitive proof. Personal preferences and behaviors are influenced by a multitude of factors, and it's crucial to remember that generalizations may not accurately represent individuals. So, enjoy your cup of black coffee guilt-free and drive your BMW without worry; these studies are just a small piece of a much larger puzzle.
