** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES ARE CENTRAL TO NUTRITIONAL SECURITY, BUT THESE CHOICES REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS TO FIND A COMPLEX BALANCE BETWEEN INTERESTS IN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE. THEREFORE, POLICIES TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHIER EATING MUST CONSIDER FOOD CHARACTERISTICS TO WHICH PEOPLE GIVE GREATER ATTENTION WHEN MAKING THESE INTERTEMPORAL DECISIONS AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS THROUGH WHICH THOSE CHARACTERISTICS INFLUENCE THE DECISIONS. IN THIS PROJECT, WE PROPOSE TO STUDY EMOTION AS ONE SUCH PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISM.WE PROPOSE TO UTILIZE CUTTING-EDGE MACHINE VISION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGIES TO EVALUATE THE ROLE OF ATTENTION AND EMOTION IN FOOD CHOICE. THESE TECHNOLOGIES USE CAMERAS TO TRACK SUBJECTS THROUGH A PHYSICAL SPACE, MEASURE ATTENTION THROUGH EYE-TRACKING (WHAT INFORMATION IS CURRENTLY BEING PROCESSED), AND MEASURE EMOTION THROUGH FACIAL MICRO-EXPRESSIONS (HOW THAT INFORMATION AFFECTS A SUBJECT'S EMOTIONAL STATE).WE WILL INVESTIGATE THE ROLE EMOTIONS PLAY IN FOOD CHOICE DECISIONS. WE ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN HOW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTION, ATTENTION, AND FOOD CHOICE IS AFFECTED BY WHETHER THE FOOD-CHOICE ENVIRONMENT IS DIGITAL (E.G. ONLINE SHOPPING) OR PHYSICAL (E.G.A GROCERY STORE). WE WILL USE BOTH ACOMPUTER LABORATORY AND A MORE NATURALISTIC, SIMULATED SHOPPING EXPERIENCE TO TEST THESE QUESTIONS.