Mind over distance: the food proximity effect on candy taking in a field setting and moderation by trait mindfulness in a hypothetical setting

The food proximity effect reveals that people are more likely to take and/or consume food when it is physically close versus distant. The effect is explained in terms of mindless eating or eating/taking food for non-hunger reasons. Yet, little work has examined the effect in experimental field settings or in relation to moderating variables. In two studies ( N = 533), we examined candy proximity and candy taking in a field setting (Study 1) and in an online hypothetical setting (Study 2) in which trait mindfulness was examined. Study 1 was conducted in a building hallway in which passersby saw a candy bowl either along their walking path (close condition) or approximately 23 ft from their walking path (far condition). We covertly recorded behavior. In Study 2, in an online hypothetical setting, participants were randomly assigned to see pictures of the environments from Study 1 (close or far conditions). They were asked if they would take candy and then later completed a measure of trait mindfulness. In both studies, we found an effect of food proximity, participants were significantly more likely to take a candy (Study 1) or report that they would take a candy (Study 2) in the close versus far condition. In Study 2, trait mindfulness was a significant moderator – the effect of food proximity occurred in participants low but not high in trait mindfulness. The food proximity effect with candy occurs in an experimental field setting, and a hypothetical context reveals that trait mindfulness is moderator.