American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 5, 176-179, Copyright © 1957 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Psychologic and Sociologic Aspects of Survival Ration Acceptability

¹ From the Survival Research Field Unit, Air Force Personnel and Training Research Center, Stead Air Force Base, Reno, Nevada

Three studies designed to determine some of the psychologic and sociologic factors affecting the acceptability of pemmican in a simulated survival situation were described. In the first, it was found that acceptability was affected by prior exposure to unfavorable opinions, unfavorable personal expectations, perception of crew attitudes, hunger and fatigue at the time of initial use, nibbling only small quantities at a time, and food aversions exhibited presently or during childhood. The second study confirmed most of these and in addition indicated that absence of a prior use of the ration might be a factor. In the third study, it was found that distinctive patterns of early life experiences differentiate the aversion group from the acceptability group. The acceptability group has had experiences indicative of higher motivation for achievement, more leadership, greater adaptability, a more aggressive adjustment to life in general, and more effective social adjustment.