Research paper
Herman CP, Polivy J. External cues in the control of food intake in humans: the sensory-normative distinction. Physiol Behav. 2008 Aug 6;94(5):722-8. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.04.014
Why we cite it
Review article proposing a taxonomy that resolves longstanding confusion about external cues in eating behavior. Schachter's externality theory (1968, 1971) claimed obese individuals are more responsive to external food cues, but subsequent research produced contradictory findings. Herman and Polivy argue the contradiction arises because "external cues" conflates two functionally different categories: normative cues (e.g., portion size) that signal appropriate intake and affect virtually everyone, and sensory cues (e.g., palatability) that relate to hedonic appeal and show individual differences in responsiveness. This distinction preserves Schachter's core insight about individual differences (for sensory cues) while explaining why normative effects like portion size are universal. Referenced by 7 companions and 7 companion-reviews (16 total references).