Hedonic Escalation: Exploring the Complexity of Sensory Experiences

In this podcast episode, the concept of hedonic escalation is discussed. Hedonic escalation refers to the idea that certain experiences can become more enjoyable and rewarding over time, rather than diminishing in satisfaction. The guest, Kami Krolik, a professor and researcher at Oxford University, conducted research on hedonic escalation using food as an example. Typically, our hedonic response to food decreases with each bite, but under the right circumstances, the enjoyment can actually increase with each successive bite. This concept has implications for conversational design in terms of creating experiences that continue to improve as users engage with them.