‘Mind genomics’: The experimental, inductive science of the ordinary, and its application to aspects of food and feeding

The paper introduces the empirical science of ‘mind genomics’, whose objective is to understand the dimensions of ordinary, everyday experience, identify mind-set segments of people who value different aspects of that everyday experience, and then assign a new person to a mind-set by a statistically appropriate procedure. By studying different experiences using experimental design of ideas, ‘mind genomics’ constructs an empirical, inductive science of perception and experience, layer by layer. The ultimate objective of ‘mind genomics’ is a large-scale science of experience created using induction, with the science based upon emergent commonalities across many different types of daily experience. The particular topic investigated in the paper is the experience of healthful snacks, what makes a person ‘want’ them, and the dollar value of different sensory aspects of the healthful snack.

► Experimental science of every day experience.
► Practicalities: Easy to do, fast, affordable.
► Science: Experimental design; a new way to understand the mind.
► Application: Product design & marketing.