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. has the same taste as them

B. advertises his products on TV

C. reduces the price of his products

D. pays attention to the quality of his products

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. Birds of a feather flock together.

D. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Answer

1.A

2.A

3.A

4.C

【解析】

心理学家发现，和经理们（乃至陌生人）吃同样食物的人更容易即刻获得他们的信任。也就是谚语所说的，“人以群分 物以类聚。”

1.C

推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar kind of food to them at the time.可知，顾客很可能从味道相同的经销商那里购买产品。故选C。

2.A

细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句Researchers at Chicago University in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food’s role in earning trust.可知美国Chicago University研究表明食物在赢得人们的信任方面起着重要的作用。故选A。

3.A

推理判断题。根据最后一段中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 the common ground and can trust the other person. Thai means negotiations are more likely to the successful.”可知，吃相似食物的人更容易信任对方。故选A。

4.C

推理判断题。根据每条谚语的意思A. Honesty is the best policy. 诚实为上策。B. All good things come to an end. 天下没有不散的筵席。C. Birds of a feather flock together. 人以群分 物以类聚。D. Where there is a will, there is a way.有志者，事竟成。可知C项符合题意。