Question

If you want to convince the boss you deserve a pay rise or promotion, the solution could be simple — eat the same food as they do. Psychologists have discovered managers are much more likely to instantly trust us if we choose the same dishes as them.

During experiments, discussions over wages and work conditions were much more successful if both sides chose to snack on the same treats. And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to them at the time.

The reason is thought to be so-called similarity attraction theory — where people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves. But this is believed to be one of the first studies highlighting the role of food in this relationship. Researchers at Chicago University in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food’s role in earning trust.

In a test, participants were told to watch TV — where someone pretending to be a member of the public praised a certain product. The volunteers were given Kit Kat bars to nibble (咬), while the TV people ate either a Kit Kat or grapes as they talked.

The results showed viewers were much more likely to express an interest in buying the product if the TV showed the other person eating a Kit Kat too.

The researchers added, “Although similarity in food consumption is not a sign of whether two people will get along, we find consumers treat this as such. They feel more trusting of those who consume as they do. It means people can immediately begin to feel friendship and develop a bond, leading to smoother transactions (交易) from the start.”

Harley Street psychologist Dr. Lucy Atcheson said it was already known that wearing similar clothes could instantly create trust. But this was the first report that food had the same effect. She said, “This is really interesting. It makes sense as people feel they have common ground and can trust the other person. That means negotiations are more likely to be successful.”

1.According to the passage, customers are likely to buy a product from a dealer who ______.

A. reduces the price of his products

B. advertises his products on TV

C. has the same taste as them

D. pays attention to the quality of his products

2.The experiments conducted by researchers at Chicago University show that ____.

A. bosses like employees that have the same taste as them

B. food plays an important role in earning people’s trust

C. people who have similar tastes to their boss’s earn more

D. people have less interest in buying products advertised on TV

3.What can be inferred from the passage?

A. The effect of wearing similar clothes hasn’t been proved by researchers.

B. People are more likely to make friends with those wearing the same clothes as them.

C. People who eat similar food are more likely to trust each other.

D. People will get along with each other if they like to eat similar things.

4.Which of the following sayings can be an example of the similarity attraction theory?

A. Honesty is the best policy.    B. All good things come to an end.

C. Where there is a will, there is a way.    D. Birds of a feather flock together.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了“similarity attraction theory”，这种理论告诉我们人们倾向于喜欢和他们有类似食物品味和习惯的人。

1.推理判断题。根据第三段第一句“The reason is thought to be so-called similarity attraction theory — where people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves.”可知人们倾向于喜欢和他们有类似食物品味和习惯的人。由此类推，顾客可能会购买和他有类似食物品味的销售商的产品。故C项正确。

2.推理判断题。根据文章第五段“The results showed viewers were much more likely to express an interest in buying the product if the TV showed the other person eating a Kit Kat too.”可知研究结果说明观众很容易购买商品，因为他们受到了吃同样食物的人的影响。说明食物在获得人们的信任方面起着重要的作用。故B项正确。

3.推理判断题。根据第三段第一句“The reason is thought to be so-called similarity attraction theory — where people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves.”可知人们倾向于喜欢和他们有类似食物品味和习惯的人。芝加哥大学研究人员的研究证明了这个理论是有效的，也就是说喜欢类似食物的人更可能相互信任。故C项正确。

4.推理判断题。本文是一篇说明文，说明了similarity attraction theory，这种理论告诉我们人们倾向于喜欢和他们有类似食物品味和习惯的人。D项“人以群分物以类聚”表示趣味相投的人会在一起，与该理论一致。故D项正确。