An interesting study posted in the international research journal Appetite, and posted on the site ScienceDirect.com, has been finding interesting correlations between preferred flavors and personality traits. Apparently, black coffee drinkers are more likely to be psychopaths and sadists.
If you are a black coffee drinker like I am, perhaps you will find this especially interesting. This study found heavy correlations between those who consume bitter foods and those who are psychopathic. And, to top it off, it was from a rather large sample size of about 1000 people.
Those who prefer bitter flavors had an overall correlation with antisocial personality behaviors. However, sadism (taking pleasure in the pain of others) had the biggest correlation of them all.
In a related study, almost unsurprisingly, another finding arose. Those who prefer bitter flavors were more likely to have hostile personalities.
It is important to point out that first, this is for bitter flavors in general. Also tossed into this group are those who like craft beer IPAs (eep… also me), radishes, grapefruits, and the like.
Here are some examples:
And, keep in mind, correlation does not equal causation. Although we can say that black coffee drinkers are more likely to be psychopaths, we cannot (yet) prove that the consumption of bitter foods caused psychopathy, or vice versa.
It is interesting to ponder however, if harsh, antisocial personalities seek out flavors that are a little discomforting. Or to wonder if repressing those discomforting flavors eventually leads to not wanting to deal with others. Or any other host of unrelated reasons that might be the true cause.
In another study it was found that those who prefer sweet flavors also have nice, pro-social personalities.
Strawberry Shortcake always found herself happy… that is, until the diabetes.
I find it particularly interesting that this must be intuitive to us as a society somehow. We say those with a friendly disposition have a “sweet personality.” And, those with personalities described as bitter, tend to be harsher people.
And, the moral of the story? Well, we think it’s to make sure that you have cookies with your coffee. We’ve got you covered there.
And thank you to Indy100 for showing us this topic.
